An iteresting Law and Order at 8 tonight. Warning spoiler (repeat)

At issue tonight is a guy who commits a vicious hate crime but nearly immediately after redeems himself and continues his new life until he is caught years later. His lawyers, paid for by a group of conservative Christians, argue that he has redeemed himself and thus shouldn't be punished. In light of some recent DP threads I think this is an iteresting discussion to have. Should redemption trump punishment? If a person turns himself around after one year of prison should he be let go if he is in for assult? for murder? How about after five years? I am loathe to try to measure the unmeasurable which is actually redemption, but I don't mind looking at actions. Prison systems are much less likely to give goodtime and issue parole. What should we look for in prison? Punishment, redemption, both?

punishment is the states decision. render unto ceasar...and onto god....i think would best apply. redemption would come from the good works he did in prison while paying for his crime.
but in florida`a new christian prison he be out in 6 months and have his own website ministry..

but on the dp threads there was more than a little discussion of redemption and its role in the justness of the dp.

hanging around with those Christian fundamentalists would be punishment enough ...............

A defendant can undergo some form of redemption. That's a personal thing. That has nothing to do with the State's requirement to follow the law.

This is what many of us were arguing during the Great Tookie Debates Of 2005. :)

McCoy never goes that low.