"they believe that letting a murderer live off the taxpayers for 50-60 years is more cost effective than a shot in the arm or a bullet to the head? please....."
With the way the system currently works they are right.
I noticed this guy didn't address the problems that life w/o parole causes. I am sure that sending petty thieves to live among hardened criminals (murderes, rapists, thugs, etc) for several months to years improves their disposition....to commit more crimes and upgrade the violence when they are released.
My mother always said that who you hang out with (friends) affects your attitude and behavior.