Isn't it a better deterrent if you can be reminded of the consequences by actually seeing someone locked up for the rest of their lives? If someone's dead, they're gone. Out of sight, out of mind. That's why it doesn't work. I mean, if the death penalty really did work in the thousands and thousands of years we as humans have used it, don't you think criminals would have gotten the message around year 1,000 or so of the idea? Just lock up the ones who would be worthy of execution under current statutes in the deepest, darkest parts of prisons where they can be living (instead of static, non-existent) reminders.