"So, you mean to say that people who have been to prison deserve to die?" Mrs. Palmer asked instead of answering directly.
"No..."
"If people who go to jail deserve to die, then what's the point of having so many laws in place? Why not just sentence everyone to death regardless of the gravity of their crimes?"
"No, Mrs. Palmer, that's not what I meant."
"So, what did you mean then?"
Mrs. Palmer asked the question gently, with a smile still on her face, and continued: "Alright, let's say that you agree that not all crimes warrant the same punishment. But by your logic, we shouldn't give those who have made mistakes any chance to reform or any job opportunities. If that were the case, those with minor offenses wouldn't be able to find jobs after being released from prison, they wouldn't make money, and they would starve to death. What's the difference between this long-term torture and the death penalty? In fact, I think that this kind of long-term torture is even crueler."
