[pgeorgi]

> Imagine if someone killed your wife/child/brother/mother/etc. Does that seem like a correct punishment?

Does that matter at all? I mean - no matter the punishment, the victim is dead, and nothing will bring them back.

So yes, lock them up: as minor deterrent (penal codes aren't very effective in that regard, if not even the death penalty prevents murder); to protect society; to give some standardized environment to hopefully correct the perpetrator so that they'll rediscover their humanity; and maybe for some sort of punishment (but that's really an afterthought, because as said, what does it matter?).

But (I hope) I'd refuse to let them also take my humanity (in addition to the life they took).