# Capital Punishment supporters, would you support public executions? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 2, 2012, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capital-punishment-supporters-would-you-support-public-executions/623858 "2012-06-02T11:46:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capital-punishment-supporters-would-you-support-public-executions/623858/1 "2012-06-02T11:46:02Z")
Lets clear the air first. This is not about the rightness or wrongness of the death penalty. This is about the circumstances of carrying it out. Until the early part of the twentieth century, it was common world over, it still occurs in some places. Those who are in favour of the death penalty, would you support it being in public and if so why or why not as well. FTR, I oppose capital punishment. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capital-punishment-supporters-would-you-support-public-executions/623858/2 "2012-06-02T13:17:54Z")
Yes. Maybe even public participation. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capital-punishment-supporters-would-you-support-public-executions/623858/3 "2012-06-02T13:22:14Z")
Can those of us who don’t support the death penalty play too? I think that where the death penalty is legal, executions should be public. _Not only must justice be done, but it must be seen to be done_. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capital-punishment-supporters-would-you-support-public-executions/623858/4 "2012-06-02T13:28:51Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > Yes. > > Maybe even public participation. Oh- I forgot to include the Why… the penal system as it puts criminals out of sight & out of mind, and at worst, become training grounds for greater criminality. I believe in a truly public system of justice that lets to penalty actually fit the crime. For property/financial crimes, offenders should be put into some sort of indentured servitude/debt slavery, the income of which primarily pays restitution to those directly harmed. Victims of violent crimes can settle either financially or can demand some form of commesurate (sp?) public corporal punishment. But for deliberate murderers, sexual & other predators, a public demonstration that they have been held to account to the fullest should be made. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capital-punishment-supporters-would-you-support-public-executions/623858/5 "2012-06-02T14:19:11Z")
I think the only way to justify taking the risk that you might be killing an innocent person is if there is a deterrent effect. The more pronounced the deterrent effect, the more comfortable I am with capital punishment and I think public executions have more of a deterrent effect than a blurb in the newspaper saying “so and so was executed yesterday, the governor and the victim’s parents were in attendance” So I support public executions. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capital-punishment-supporters-would-you-support-public-executions/623858/6 "2012-06-02T14:32:08Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Can those of us who don’t support the death penalty play too? I think that where the death penalty is legal, executions should be public. _Not only must justice be done, but it must be seen to be done_. Agreed. And perhaps they should be done by the random, voting populace. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capital-punishment-supporters-would-you-support-public-executions/623858/7 "2012-06-02T14:37:45Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > I think the only way to justify taking the risk that you might be killing an innocent person is if there is a deterrent effect. The more pronounced the deterrent effect, the more comfortable I am with capital punishment and I think public executions have more of a deterrent effect than a blurb in the newspaper saying “so and so was executed yesterday, the governor and the victim’s parents were in attendance” Judging from history however they _don’t_. Any logically, given human nature it _should_ be expected to increase violence, not decrease it; executions are after all a socially approved violent act. ---
**Author:** ![Makeitstop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bb73d2/32.png) [@Makeitstop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Makeitstop)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capital-punishment-supporters-would-you-support-public-executions/623858/8 "2012-06-02T14:40:00Z")
I would agree with public executions. If we, as a society, decide that we are going to kill people we find guilty of particularily horrible crimes, we shouldn’t just close that off to people. We as a people should be exposed to the death of those we deem unfit for life. I’d be less in favor of having any execution recorded in any way. But in the digital age, what are the chanced that that wouldn’t occer? I am for the death penalty, and for the public execution of said penalty, if it is done correctly. Not as a celebration, but as something that must be done. ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capital-punishment-supporters-would-you-support-public-executions/623858/9 "2012-06-02T17:25:14Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > Oh- I forgot to include the Why… > > the penal system as it puts criminals out of sight & out of mind, and at worst, become training grounds for greater criminality. I believe in a truly public system of justice that lets to penalty actually fit the crime. For property/financial crimes, offenders should be put into some sort of indentured servitude/debt slavery, the income of which primarily pays restitution to those directly harmed. Victims of violent crimes can settle either financially or can demand some form of commesurate (sp?) public corporal punishment. But for deliberate murderers, sexual & other predators, a public demonstration that they have been held to account to the fullest should be made. I didn’t know you were a theonomist. 😛 But while this probably worked for a nomadic society like ancient Israel the problem with this is that somewhat whose indentured/enslaved/otherwise making up for his crimes for the victim can very easily turn on the victim. Similarly some violent criminals who haven’t commited a death penalty-worthy crime won’t change their ways after a whipping or a fine-they need to be restrained by prison or mental institution. As for me, I don’t care if public executions would be solemn displays of justice rather than some bizarre public celebration as was the case many times in the past. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capital-punishment-supporters-would-you-support-public-executions/623858/10 "2012-06-02T17:31:28Z")
Charge admission, and the argument that the DP costs more than life in prison disappears. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capital-punishment-supporters-would-you-support-public-executions/623858/11 "2012-06-02T18:09:09Z")
As long as people are not forced to watch I am fine with public executions. I have seen a few criminals that I would heartily pull the switch upon personally. I also think that in some instances indentured service would work as a punishment [after all, community service could be seen as a form of indentured service. If you have a road crew of parking/moving violation scofflaws picking up the roadside trash you don’t have to pay for the DPW to do it.] as well as flogging combined with some form of probation. Heck, I could see putting someone in for a minimum hitch in the military as an interesting solution to some issues with youths who have done minor crimes that would get them away from the bad influences and into a situation with some discipline and an ability to actually make a living that isn’t a mcjob. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capital-punishment-supporters-would-you-support-public-executions/623858/12 "2012-06-02T18:29:30Z")
We have public executions now. It’s just that it’s by invitation only. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capital-punishment-supporters-would-you-support-public-executions/623858/13 "2012-06-02T18:33:48Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Charge admission, and the argument that the DP costs more than life in prison disappears. I Like it. I like it a lot. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capital-punishment-supporters-would-you-support-public-executions/623858/14 "2012-06-02T18:56:33Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Charge admission, and the argument that the DP costs more than life in prison disappears. > > Regards, > Shodan Pay Per View. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capital-punishment-supporters-would-you-support-public-executions/623858/15 "2012-06-02T19:30:18Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Pay Per View. I was hoping for something resembling “American Ninja”, where there are crocodiles in the water and whirling knives under the trapezes. And the spectators get to throw things at them while they compete. We could have celebrity guest stars, like baseball pitchers who try to bean them. If they make it all the way to the end, they appear before a parole board consisting of Sara Palin, Joe Arpaio, and David Duke. They would have legal representation from Fred Phelps. Or maybe a different theme for each execution. “Tonight on MythBusters - what unarmed martial art is the most effective against an enraged chimp? How about ten enraged chimps? Does it matter if you are prepared?” Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2012, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capital-punishment-supporters-would-you-support-public-executions/623858/16 "2012-06-03T00:24:43Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Pay Per View. Well, that would definitely quash the complaint that people were forced to watch it 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2012, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capital-punishment-supporters-would-you-support-public-executions/623858/17 "2012-06-03T01:35:57Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > As for me, I don’t care if public executions would be solemn displays of justice rather than some bizarre public celebration as was the case many times in the past. By dint of human nature, it’s quite impossible for public executions not to turn into weird and disquieting displays of sadistic glee from the mob. You’re even seeing it in this very thread. ---
**Author:** ![ZPG\_Zealot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e47c2d/32.png) [@ZPG\_Zealot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZPG_Zealot)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2012, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capital-punishment-supporters-would-you-support-public-executions/623858/18 "2012-06-03T03:22:35Z")
I support the death penalty, but think we need to be very careful about how we use this most extreme penalty. Therefore, I believe we should have public executions. And I believe it should be a requirement that all potential jurors on a death penalty case watch at least a recording of an execution. If they are going to be entrusted with such a decision, they should be fully informed about the consequences. Any potential juror who feels after watching the execution video that “they couldn’t do that to anyone, no matter how guilty they are” should probably be excused. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2012, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capital-punishment-supporters-would-you-support-public-executions/623858/19 "2012-06-03T03:51:30Z")
I would no more support public executions than I would putting other convicts on public display, whether that may be in stocks or long-term imprisonment in a glass cell in public view. It is punishment, not a spectacle. ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2012, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capital-punishment-supporters-would-you-support-public-executions/623858/20 "2012-06-03T03:55:01Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > Oh- I forgot to include the Why… > > the penal system as it puts criminals out of sight & out of mind, and at worst, become training grounds for greater criminality. I believe in a truly public system of justice that lets to penalty actually fit the crime. For property/financial crimes, offenders should be put into some sort of indentured servitude/debt slavery, the income of which primarily pays restitution to those directly harmed. Victims of violent crimes can settle either financially or can demand some form of commesurate (sp?) public corporal punishment. But for deliberate murderers, sexual & other predators, a public demonstration that they have been held to account to the fullest should be made. So you’d ditch the 8th amendment? Why not? We’ve already done away with most of the Bill of Rights. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capital-punishment-supporters-would-you-support-public-executions/623858.md?page=2)