Yesterday I read this essay by William Blake, a man who has been held in solitary confinement for 26 years for the murder of a police officer. It's beautifully written, but heartbreaking.
There are two types of people who could read this and not be persuaded this type of treatment should be abolished. First, the people close to the victim. They may not be able to forgive the murderer. That's understandable. I could see grief making me wish someone burned in hell forever and, like Blake says, to think the fire wasn't hot enough. I feel sorry for people like this.
The other type is the person with abstract convictions that override any residual humanitarian feelings. People like the judge who sentenced Blake, who said, "You deserve an eternity in hell." These people are dangerous and should never hold any position related to public service.
There are two types of people who could read this and not be persuaded this type of treatment should be abolished. First, the people close to the victim. They may not be able to forgive the murderer. That's understandable. I could see grief making me wish someone burned in hell forever and, like Blake says, to think the fire wasn't hot enough. I feel sorry for people like this.
The other type is the person with abstract convictions that override any residual humanitarian feelings. People like the judge who sentenced Blake, who said, "You deserve an eternity in hell." These people are dangerous and should never hold any position related to public service.
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