We don't know what the circumstances were around the actions this individual did or did not do. The justice system can be as corrupt as any other government institution, where wrongful verdicts and convictions are made all the time. It takes years of costly uphill legal battles to dig yourself out of that hole, and many don't make it.

That said, even if this person did commit the crime, I'm siding with GP here: what is the purpose of keeping a human being behind bars for life, if there's no chance they would eventually reintegrate into society? Solitary confinement in particular seems like a medieval torture device designed to drive people mad, rather than rehabilitate them.

If the State wants to remove someone from society altogether, the death penalty is a more humane way of doing that. A life sentence makes no sense in this system, unless someone is benefiting from keeping prisoners alive. In many ways, this is just a modern form of slavery.

Judging by this person's writing, they've somehow managed to rehabilitate themselves despite of their cruel living conditions, which is nothing short of remarkable.

> We don't know what the circumstances were around the actions this individual did or did not do.

The crimes in question were rape and murder. Are you saying you doubt he actually did those things, or that you think there are some circumstances under which they'd be justified? If the latter, can you elaborate?

I'm not defending the crimes this person may have committed. I think my points were clear, but to summarize:

- Wrongful verdicts and convictions do happen.

- Is a life sentence the appropriate retribution to society?

- The US prison system works on punishment and exploitation, rather than rehabilitation.

- This person's writing shows remarkable thinking, despite of their environment.

You gotta take a higher perspective. Sure maybe those murderers deserve it. But what is the net benefit to society while those murderers are in prison and after those murderers are released?

Ironically, research and actual events show that treating criminals with humanity actually yields a net benefit.

I think excluding a murderer from participating in society is a solid choice for the safety of others. Not saying it's the most perfect solution to a problem, but it is a decent solution.

Oh I'm not saying that they should be released.

I'm asking about what's happening inside those prisons. And what happens to the prisoner after he's released from said environment. Is there a net benefit to society with the current status quo?

I guess in short a better way to put it is this: Is the prisoner reformed and able to reintegrate with society?

And keep them in cages indefinitely just in case the wrong person was convicted after all, or are you also for 'eye for an eye' at that point?

Since the USA has more prisoners per capita than anywhere else in the world, I think we’ve pretty much failed as using jail as a deterrent. It really is all about punishment and removing those from society we don’t think deserve to live a free life (see the failed drug war).

How about "don't be accused of a crime if you want to live a good life". There are countless innocent people in prison and even a single innocent person enduring this is one too many.

I agree that wrongful convictions are bad and we should try to reduce and even eliminate them. I don't agree that we should have milder punishments for crimes like murder and rape just because the wrongful conviction rate isn't zero.