Randy Barnett has written extensively on the benefits of requiring that criminals pay their victims receive restitution, as an alternative to imprisoning or killing criminals. I've found his arguments quite convincing and recommend his work to you.
>Premise: Imprisonment as a consequence of crime is a failed policy.
>
>I've been trying to come up with better alternatives for criminal penalties,
>but have not had much luck in developing a substantial improvement over the
>status quo. Seems to me that >H are a pretty smart bunch, so maybe a little
>brainstorming might dig up some good solutions.
>
>Glen Finney
T.0. Morrow
t0morrow@aol.com
http://members.aol.com/t0morrow/T0Mpage.HTML