Death Work: A Study of the Modern Execution Process

Rating:
Summary: Vague arguments!
Review: The author of this book is making an attempt to convince the reader that capital punishment is inhumane, gruesome and unjustified. Paradoxically, Johnson makes no mention of all innocent people who have been brutally murdered, raped, molested or tortured. Instead, he endeavors to make the reader feel sorry for psychopaths on death row. We are talking about individuals who have murdered, raped, molested and tortured innocent people. They have forfeited their legal right to live in our society. As is well-known, psychopaths are usually cunning, insidious, charming, manipulative, callous and can easily deceive their psychiatrists. It has been documented that malefactors frequently relapse into criminality upon release and commit additional crimes of gruesome nature. I wonder if abolitionists take into consideration the following aspects: What if they or their children were the next potential victim of a released convict? If people had known that they were the next potential victim of a "rehabilitated" murderer, I am not sure that they would oppose the death penalty. Abolitionists seem to think that as long as they do not get in a way of a murderer then they are against capital punishment. This way of reasoning is highly egotistical! However, this aspect has to be taken into consideration when forming an opinion on the subject matter. It is not possible to be objective about this issue. Dangerous criminals shoud either be incarcerated for life or sentenced to death. This is the only way to ensure maximum security for the public. We must not allow murderers, rapists and child molestors to commit additional crimes. In conclusion, this book presents vague arguments against the death penalty. It is ambiguous and has many shortcomings.

Rating:
Summary: A well-researched, well-written account of the death penalty
Review: This is an excellent book to use for research or to learn more about the death penalty. The author did an outstanding job of presenting the facts about death row and explaining why the death penalty should be abolished. He not only discusses how death row inmates are psychologically tortured, but how guards who must watch these men and women are also adversely affected by carrying out their jobs--the legal, premeditated murder of another human. Johnson explores the reasons for popular support for the death penalty, and believes that offenders should be punished, not killed for retribution. This is an amazing book which will affect anyone who takes the time to read it through, even those who staunchly support the death penalty.