Former Warden of San Quentin State Prison supports Prop. 34

As the warden of San Quentin, I presided over four executions. After each one, someone on the staff would ask, "Is the world safer because of what we did tonight?"

We knew the answer: No.

I worked in corrections for 30 years, starting as a correctional officer and working my way up to warden at San Quentin and then on to the top job in the state -- director of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. During those years, I came to believe that the death penalty should be replaced with life without the possibility of parole.

I didn't reach that conclusion because I'm soft on crime. My No. 1 concern is public safety. I want my children and grandchildren to have the safety and freedom to pursue their dreams. I know from firsthand experience that some people are dangerous and must be removed from society forever.

Read more: http://www.yeson34.org/stories/enforc...

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[jimshellie1]

a bunch of crap!!!!! if they executed them in a timely manner and didnt give them endless appials the system would work, but Ca. is full of bleeding heart liberals that care more about a murdering piece of @#@# than the poor people they victimized.....

[littlesydney]

You don't teach someone who steals not to steal by stealing from them, so why teach people to kill by killing...? 

[jimshellie1]

please don't get upset, this is just a conversation. When is the last time an inmate in Ca. was put to death? I never claimed to be an expert, but by your tone, I think you believe you are! What inmate was put to death wrongfully? Murder is what the criminal does. A death sentence is what's handed down to that person when a jury of their piers believes the crimes committed are of a brutal and sufficiently egregious nature to warrant such a verdict Thus the state does not commit murder as you say

[cajayson8301]

What does ( believe me I'm knowledgeable (not by personal standards) supposed to mean anyway.>>> LOL the fact you even inquire on this basic premise suggests you are far from an expert on this topic, as you so imbibe *snicker*

[cajayson8301]

It doesn't change the fact that I think your incorrect.>>> What am I incorrect about then, smarty pants? The fact that DP at times wrongfully puts a person to death that warranted an acquittal? The racial disparities? The intrinsic hypocrisy of a state outlawing murder unless it's them in charge of flipping a switch? The cost effectiveness behind abolishing the system? Please tell me. I'm dying (pun intended) to know where I'm incorrect *snort*

You are as thick as a concrete wall.

[jimshellie1]

I comprehend everything you said. Comprehension and grammar are two different things by the way. It doesn't change the fact that I think your incorrect. your assertion that you could diminish me is a joke, that would only work if I believed you to be superior to me and trust me I do not. I never played nor do I want any victim card. What does ( believe me I'm knowledgeable (not by personal standards) supposed to mean anyway. I do personally know about death row inmates. Do you read books?

[cajayson8301]

One more issue...when you malign an entire group of people off falsehoods (i.e. "bleeding hearts" sympathizing with a convict as opposed to those whom they did unjust harm), you lose any ability at playing up the victim card. Nice try, yet no cigar

[cajayson8301]

I agree I'm not an elitist snob that makes fun of people because you perceive them less of an enlightened person than you.>>> I don't know you well enough to mock you. Just providing you constructive feedback in what I perceive to be a mature, evenhanded perspective. Believe me, I could elect to really diminish you if I could but rather am patient on dispensing salient wisdom likely anyone would given the circumstances.

doesn't make you right.>>> And you haven't addressed my counterpoints...

[cajayson8301]

Absolutely not a major criteria for me. Just advising you that sounding intelligent requires mastering basic information since failure to comprehend that level renders your argumentation highly moot, as is evidenced by your inability at absorbing a common critique about capital punishment's hypocritical and racial undertones. Given those bullet points, it's futile engaging you any further.

In regards to the culture of incarceration, believe me I'm knowledgeable (not by personal standards) ;)

[jimshellie1]

Have you spent any time inside of the prison system. Well I have, so don't spout off about what you think you know unless you know the Inmates on death row and you know exactly what they have done...

[jimshellie1]

if your criteria of someones ability to argue a point, is based on their grammar and spelling. Than you win. I agree I'm not an elitist snob that makes fun of people because you perceive them less of an enlightened person than you. As far as Racial or hypocritical, what are you talking about. Just because you feel that way and you think your so much smarter than me because you use ( big ) words doesn't make you right. You have know idea who I am or what I know.

[cajayson8301]

One more reply...the "endless appeals" are a mandate given the severity behind this punishment. Our criminal justice system would be increasingly darkened if not every detail was scrutinized over time once considering ending someone's life. Your solution to speed up appeals is without merit on the grounds that these proceedings require a narrowed, diverse judicial body so as in curtailing the possibility of executing an innocent person, which HAS happened before despite your potential denials