The Death Penalty for Murder

People often ask, "Why isn't the death penalty a deterent to murder?"
The reason is that psychologically murder (except in the case of self defense) is usually a vicarious form of suicide caused by either an emotionally disturbed person or mentally ill person. So, the only real deterent (that would be accepted by society) is life in prison. And Life in prison with no hope of parole IS a deterent to murder statistically everywhere on earth. The other reason might be that although most people are not capable of suicide even if that is what they want, for a murderer death is often a welcome thing. This is one reason you see so many murder suicides in families.

Having worked with several people I have known when I was younger who were on a suicide watch it is important for someone helping a suicidal person to stay alive that a suicidal person is also potentially homicidal. For if the rage can be turned inward sometimes it can switch suddenly and turn outward. So remember if you are trying to keep someone alive your own life might be at risk. This is not to stop you from helping someone to stay alive. It is for you to be realistic about the whole thing.