Yeah not a bad idea - Maby set up a three strike thing in prison, after your third assault/rape/gang activity you get the needle. This would fix the lifer's "nothing to lose" mentality, and like you said provide an environment suitable for rehabilitation for those who want it. On the flip side, however, do we give each prisoner a series of appeals before thier execution? If so, it might cost us more money than its actually worth.

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"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb discussing what's for dinner.
Liberty is a well armed lamb willing to contest the majority decision!" ~ Benjamin Franklin
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"There are no innocent civilians." - Gerneral Curtis Lemay. A.K.A Bombs away Lemay