Letter Section
2007
Don't forget to send us your valid e-mail, so we can get back to you.
This is only a selection of the messages that were sent to Dean Carter,
we thought those might be of interest to you too.
Dean, after coming across your web column, I decided to contact
you by email. I'm German and I am totally opposed to death penalty
in general.
Reason for this is:
1.) No legal system in the world can claim to work
100% free of human errors, leading to the problem, that there can
never be a conviction of
an accused person beyond any shadow of doubt.
2.) Once you impose and carry out this ultimate
sentence, mistakes can not be revoked.
3.) It is easy to be proofed that capital
punishment does not act as a deterrent for would be offenders / all
statistics available proof this.
4.) The right to life is the most basic right that
needs to be granted to all individuals. Execution, even if it is
done under a death warrant and legalized by the state is still a
state sanctioned murder, depriving the victim of this basic right.
Finally, a lot of people argue, that an execution is more cost
effective for the state compared to a life sentence. This is also
not true. If you compare the costs throughout all trial proceedings
and appeal processes until a condemned person finally is executed,
the costs are far higher compared to a life sentence.
I have followed several cases as a very good friend of mine is M
Ravi, a human rights lawyer in Singapore. Together with him, I have
campaigned
in several cases where death penalty was imposed under very
questionable circumstances. We even achieved that official messages
from Germany
ministry of foreign affairs and the EU have been sent out to
Singapore asking for a moratorium of death penalty - however even
these clear messages were ignored and turned down.
This world isn't getting any better as long as states all over the
world are imposing and carrying out this sentence as a part of their
penal code.
Killing is wrong and I totally agree that everybody who takes the
live or dignity of another person needs to be punished seriously but
execution through the state is also a way of killing and two wrongs
don't make a right.
I feel, that a modern society and democracy must entertain other and
more civilized ways of sentencing people and must acknowledge that
due to the fact that no legal system is free of errors, death
penalty should never be an option for a civilized community. It is
medieval practice and needs to be replaced, acknowledging basic
human rights.
Besides all these thoughts, I think, countries like the US or
Singapore will never bend to the opinion of human rights activists,
nor will they
acknowledge any clemency appeals as long as there is no political or
economical pressure or consequence connected to it.
Only a clear forecast for these countries, to loose their image or
reputation or to loose market share on a world trade stage will
slowly force them to re-think their practise.
All discussions going on about death penalty in the US are very
pathetic and it seems that in public a lot of people just think of
revenge for the victims, relatives or society. These people speak
very easy and without deep knowledge about the facts and sometimes,
I truly wish, one of them could be brought to an execution and made
to turn the switch for the real thing himself. This would probably
change their views and make
them realize that execution in fact is the termination of a human
being. It is not clean and nice just because it is done by the state
it is cruel, inhuman and absolutely senseless.
There is a big global movement against death penalty and it is
gaining momentum. In early February there is a big event in Paris
(World coalition against death penalty) and it is held under the
protection of former French president Jaques Chirac and German
chancellor Angela Merkel.
So as long as you breath, there is hope. Please go on with your
valuable column to spread the word to the public.
I truly wish that one day we will all be able to celebrate a
worldwide moratorium on death penalty and a commutation of all death
penalties into more reasonable sentences.
Keep the faith,
Rodny
|
Hi I just wanted to write and tell you that I found your columns
really interesting. I am a 2nd year student of Criminal
Justice(working with offenders) and found your columns while looking
for some stuff I can use for an idea I have for my dissertation next
year - the difference between UK and USA prison systems. I am now
sitting here really angry - not toward you but the society of
narrow-minded, halfwitted, vote-led politicians and their followers
that mainly use the guise of religeon ( where is their compassion
and forgiveness??)who think it is humane to keep people such a
yourself in sub-standard conditions and call it justice.
Sorry for ranting but it drives me mad - possibly not the best
subject for my disseration as I am not sure I could be objectional.
Anyway I want to say that I totally agree with the comment you made
about society expecting people to have changed when released from
prison without doing anything to help. I work with young people who
are already or are on the verge of offending. I have recently done
some work with a young lad in a Young Offenders Institute and
tried to support him upon release. I got myself in trouble with the
YOI on his release for stating that I thought
they had failed him by not giving him the sessions he should have
had - as a result of a short sentence and lack of provisions they
said, but they expected that 3 months inside and then released back
into the same community, group of friends and living back with his
alcoholic mother would make a difference.He is now on the run again
with people saying "we knew he wouldnt change" - well I
wonder why - I feel so sad and angry that young people are not being
properly educated and given alternative coping strategies when
within the prison system. I do believe that if you have done wrong
then you must be punished but if we dont try and change the thinking
patterns of offending then how will anyone change?
|
I would like to no how the ban on smoking is working out.can they
smoke at all or just out side or what?
thanks
Arnold
|
Hello Arnold,
The smoking ban? No, there isn't any smoking at all. I think it
created some problems at first. Luckily I didn't smoke so it didn't
bother me.
I think it is hypocritical for them to stop smoking for health
reasons and still have the most unhealthy food they feed to
prisoners. Typical politician hypocrisy though.
Thanks for writing,
Dean
|
Mr. Dean, I have just finished reading one of your columns and I just
wanted to say I fully agree that the system has made it far to easy to sentence
people to death. I think jury's should have to carry out the sentence if they
feel strong enough to sentence some to death they should have no problem
carrying out the execution. Thank you for your time. Crystal
|
Hello Dean, My name is Maurizio and I am from Italy. During a search on
google I found your site for a coincidence. It was a bad moment in my life and I
felt a bit lonely. I typed in the search field, in Italian, “Signore parlami”
(Lord talk to me). It was one of these things one does across reason and
feelings, head and belly, logic and the irrational. Maybe even there was a bit
of bitter taste in doing it. I am totally sure you do understand what I
mean. Well the first site coming out from the search was your site and after
clicking I was into your “column 28”. I just want you to know this. Thank
you Dean for that column 28. It was useful. Ciao, Maurizio
|
Too many murderers are being held on death row for years which makes me angry
because the money that is supporting them could be going to our children who are
going down the wrong path which could lead them to murder or death row but
without money or medical insurance they are left to fend for themselves while
millions of dollars are used to house murderers who showed no compassion to
their victims in their victims last hours or minutes of pure terror. What I do
pray for is that everyone on death row takes the time to make peace with their
creator because they are all loved the same by him! Thank you for
listening, PAL
|
Hello Pal, I got your message some time ago, but have been busy with
other things and haven't had a chance to reply until now. I respect your
opinion, but think you are wrong. If there was no death penalty then ALL the
death penalty trials wouldn't be taking place and all THAT money would be saved
and go towards the children. As for your comments about murderers being held
on death row for years and it making you angry. I am curious if you are also
angry about the cases where some have been on death row for 23 (or more) years
and then it is discovered that they are innocent? Or does that not count? Do you
think it is okay to kill innocent people? You may have that terrible disease
that seems to be so common in America, it is called 'half thinking'. People have
a strong opinion about something, but you only think about the part that is
convenient for you to promote your point of view. I also thought it was
interesting that you wish for peace with the creator, what do you think the
creator will have to say when it comes your time and your half thinking is being
examined? I don't think the creator will be that impressed, but that is for you
to make right I guess. Thank you for writing and sharing your view. I
appreciate it even if I don't agree and I wish you the best.
Take
Care, Dean
|
How come many websites write that Dean Carter is dead? Stefan
|
Hello Stefan, Sorry it has been taken so long to get back to you, but I
have been busy over the last few months. You ask about why there are people
who say I am dead. I don’t know why that is. There is a group of pro death
penalty people, who have been posing as different people, over the last couple
of years and they say all sorts of things about me to try and discredit me and
my writing. They are supporters of the Death Penalty and they spread lies and
misinformation and are just full of hate and anger. So I guess that is why they
do that. I am alive and working very hard, but just on other things at the
moment. I hope to do more writing in 2007 though. Take Care, Dean
|
Letter Sections
2009 2008 2006 2005 2004
2003
|