>As far as I'm concerned they can "enjoy" their time in their cells as much as they like. That's a non sequitir in the debate.
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>It actually is very relevant.
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>The premise of putting a man behind bars for the rest of his life is the implication that the man will suffer great mental anguish. That premise has been challenged in the field of study of the criminal mind.
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>If you really want to get some good insights, read the works of Dr. Samuel Yochelson and Dr. Stanton E. Samenow. They have been major myth-busters in the field.

You dance away from the point like Fred Astaire. The point is whether it is acceptable for the government to put a citizen to death.

Uh, Dr. Samuel Yochelson and Dr. Stanton E. Samenow? ;-) They may be perfectly knowledgeable but this reminds me of movie ads for dud movies. You know how they all open with full page or two page ads in the newspapers filled with praise from movie critics? You can guess whether the movie is any good or not from the names of the critics. In addition to the perennial quote whores like Rex Reed there are legions more in the internet era.