lets not jab at a typing error, which is easily corrected, and was overlooked when I typed it out.
[quote:19506]The belief that the death penalty deters capital crimes, to a greater degree than the alternatives, can be the only rational argument in support of capital punishment. I do not consider revenge a rational action for the following reasons: Revenge doesn't satisfy us all and it may cause harm to some. Our ability to determine justice is limited to the parameters of our paradigm. And, a vengeful act may justify retaliation, thus creating a cycle of violence. Punishment may be useful as a measure to correct the behavior of those who wish to be members of society. But, punishment is nothing more than revenge when the subject is not a candidate for rehabilitation. Revenge is nothing more than an emotional response.
This leaves us with the question: Is there a deterrent effect from the death penalty, or not?[/quote:19506]
http://www.mindspring.com/~phporter/econ.html
-These figures do not include the revenue generated for the company running the jail, by the inmates labor as well.