Smoke in Prison
The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision stating that a prisoner who is forced to inhale secondhand tobacco smoke suffers “cruel and unusual” punishment is indeed thought-provoking. It is not considered cruel and unusual punishment for a prisoner to be forced to inhale cyanide gas that burns out his lungs while he is slowly asphyxiated. This is legal. And it serves justice?
May our courts one day recognize all forms of capital punishment for what they really are--the ultimate denial of human right to life, the ultimate cruel, inhumane and vengeful punishment, and a complete disregard for the sanctity of human life.
KATHLEEN BROWN
Canyon Country
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