Letter to the editor: Can killers be reformed, forgiven?

To letter-writer Keith Kondrich (“If we respect life, we must end death penalty,” April 25, TribLIVE): Did you know that the U.S. has more prison inmates than China, Russia and Japan, just to name a few? How can you reform a personality that has no respect or compassion for life? How barbaric is it when someone murders someone with no regard to consequences? Unless the murderer is insane and has no idea what he/she did, how can you say forgive killing? Tell that to someone who has lost someone near and dear to them.

We’ve become a nation of enablers who do not stand up for what’s right; just change the rules or laws to fit whatever person or group is offended.

Morals and life lessons should start at home with parents. If these aren’t taught, how can you “change” people after they’ve committed heinous crimes? I’m sorry, but I don’t think any amount of counseling will help them see the sanctity of the life they took.

Jeanne Snyder

Irwin