Parole Boards Define Arbitrariness

One of the reasons I support the death penalty for capital criminals is that it's definite, conclusive and assured punishment. The customary alternative, life in prison, exhibits none of those characteristics.

People sentenced to life, for example, could escape or could be accidentally released via an administrative technicality or they could be pardoned, have their sentences commuted or they could be paroled. In fact, there are so many variables related to life prison terms that one realistically should have a sense of foreboding rather than reassurance when they are imposed.

With all that in mind, Matt Dole relates the story of murderer, William Clumm, convicted in the 1977 premeditated death of his wife and sentenced to life in prison. After 30 years, the Parole Board now apparently thinks Clumm has spent his entire life in prison, obviously disregarding the fact that he's still alive, and the board wants to release him. Growing up without a mother, the children of the murdered woman are outraged that her killer is being released and fear for their own safety. They are asking for support to keep Clumm in the joint.

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