Capital Punishment has gotten trickier. I'm still undecided on the issue as a whole, mainly because I can't come up with a feasible alternative. And despite what certain political groups may think, complaining is meaningless and pointless without one.

On the one hand, yes, restitution needs to be made. On the other hand...

An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.

-Gandhi

It makes no sense at all. To show that killing is wrong, we're going to kill you. This method doesn't seem to have helped much. Homicide rate is currently low, admittedly, but if you look at the numbers, it appears to be just coming down off a peak. Similar results are seen if you look at theft, assault, or really any event over a long period of time; be it political, social, economical, geographical, or what have you. That's just how numbers act.

Best alternative I can come up with is to designate an island for prisoner use, à la Australia. Set up a no-fly zone around the island, enforced via SAM sites. No need to staff the island, however. No fences or cells, either. Prisoners are free to roam the island, and even attempt escape if they feel so inclined. It'll be hundreds if not thousands of islands off the mainland. Ensure the island has a fresh source of potable water (or make them desalinate sea water...), and a goodly supply of food, both plant and animals. For fun, throw in some very territorial and vicious creatures.

That's pretty much the gist of it. Sure, it sucks, but so does the current system. Plus, mine's more entertaining, and has a much lesser economical impact. After the initial study was funded, all that's left is transportation costs. Oh, yeah, forgot that part. Prisoners will be given a biodegradeable parachute (can't have them making sails) and pushed out of a plane. IFF transceivers could avoid them being shot down by the SAMs. If they manage to hit the island, hey, great. If they have to swim a mile, hey, great. Doesn't really matter either way.