[timothy]

Randall, don't get me wrong, the bulk of the comment was in jest and intended to raise a economic concern about our current system of locking up someone "for the rest of his life," as ChrisZang put it. I don't advocate capital punishment as routine, regardless of the incarceration costs. But with life in prison costing over 800k (assuming 40 years), I get frustrated by the ever increasing prison population as another group to be supported by Mr and Mrs tax payer. Clearly shooting someone is not the answer but neither is an overcrowded jail system. I like your idea of a jumpsuit and shovel as standard issue. Driving through west Texas I've seen guards on horseback watching over prison work crews. If the courts took that approach with early offenders there may not be so many who return for a second and third stay.