tones,

my reasoning goes like this... for certain criminals there is absolutely no chance that they can be rehabilitated these criminals will have to be wards of the state for the remainder of their lives. in this case the economic benefits you mention swing across in favour of execution.

i don;t advocate it for vengeful reasons but rather for those cases where the possibility of the prisoner being released or escaping is a horrible possibility. for example the wests, manson, dr shipman etc. society needs to be protected from people like this who have shown no sign that they can be rehabilitated.

it is not something that should be used as a deterrant, it should be a purely last resort protective method of society.

just my opinion.

cheers

julian