The Editor, Sir:

The recent discussions on capital punishment in Jamaica has peaked my interest, and rightfully so. Several months ago my brother was beheaded in Spanish Town, and five young men, ages 18 to 25, were implicated. They were later released because the five witnesses who were being robbed in the process were "unable to identify them".

While I support a system that treats criminals as innocent until proven guilty, I wondered if Jamaica would be able to punish all the individuals and their cronies who have murdered, robbed and maimed its citizen just over the last 10 years.

Cost and resources

Have we considered the cost and resources that would be required to undertake such a project. Housing and rehabilitating a young man in his teens could take up to 30 years.

The price tag for sheltering and harbouring all these murderers in our penal system would be enormous.Would taxpayers and innocent victims be asked to foot the bill for housing, feeding, training, medical care, education, and recreation to these people?

Cute idea

After all, humane treatment requires that they are treated humanely. Do we have the resources to build bigger and better prisons, safe and up-to-date jails and courthouses?

The idea of abolishing the death penalty is "cute" to say the least. Justice demand an eye for an eye. Let's spend the money on the victims of their crimes. I say hang them.

I am, etc.,

NORMALEE MURRAY

ASHEBER

nasheber@disabilitylink.org

Stone Mountain, GA

Via Go-Jamaica