Readers’ reactions

‘Criminals need to be removed’ – PM on evolving death penalty view

“Pseudo-intellectual voices are going to say the death penalty is not a deterrent. That is a red herring! The key deliverable here is not deterrence, it is accountability & punishment. Deterrence would only be a bonus, if it occurs. We need to keep intellectual perspective.” – @Zemi66

“I was agreeing with you until the end of the statement. I was lost at the point of asking about correlation and lowest incarceration rate on the backdrop of the concern, re hefty sentences. Can someone explain?” – @Peoplechoice360

“The whole justice system needs to be reformed.” – @Iamthedamion

“Why do I get the feeling that reality does not exist until this man says it does?” – @yellowbirds14

“Quite right, PM!” – @SallyPorteous

“Need a lot of research looking at deterrence theory. Review why is the incarceration rate so low? Many variables exist. Is there cause and effect or just mere correlation? What does the data say? Have we done analysis? Historically, death penalty does not deter crime.” – @Aleogilling

“Agreed, Mr Prime Minister; personally I definitely give my vote to see this actualise, because the fear of losing your life is greater than any other fear.” – @GoshHere

“The problem is, the identities of the murderers are rarely known.” – @joaplum

“We need the death penalty for those wicked cowards.” – @VINCENT62207515

“If he implements the death penalty, he has my vote for sure.” – @catnipsy27

“Death penalty is [a] regressive move and has never been the deterrent that politicians say it is.” – @Erikofkent

“Indeed. They were being treated as civilised, but they are not civilised. Until the punishment is inflicted and the fear is realised, that is the only time they will stop and think. The filter in the brain will be activated then. Also, curtail gun possession or ownership.” – @954coral876

Death penalty doesn’t mean anything if you can’t even catch criminals. Just another Band-Aid in the absence of any practical plan to address crime. – @shinakira00

“I am not for the death penalty. This guy was trying to convince me: ‘You have to die anyway – you are just speeding it up for these wicked people.’ Interesting view.” – @LowrieChin

“Death penalty isn’t gonna work ‘cause, let’s face it … dem bwoy yah look like dem care whether they live or die to you? Execute one and 10 take their place. If we don’t deal with the guns coming into the country this crime problem won’t be fixed! The answer is so obvious.” – @DRealNikkiM

“If the PM understood the mind of a criminal, he would know that those who willingly face off with police do not fear death.” – @mediagirlpro

“I just want to know what the Min of Natl Security been studying this entire time?” – @malihenry

“Dweet PM! Full time. Hang dem until they are dead!” – @kinsoncase

Readers’ reactions sourced from The Gleaner’s X, formerly Twitter, page. Compiled by Khanique McDaniel