Concept of Guilt Excellent Wayfarer,
Yes it is big especially with the political World we have always lived in but the system that is the foundation per
"The degree of civilization in a society can be judged by entering its prisons."
-Fyodor Dostoevsky, from The House of the Dead
This was in the 1800s speaking at the same system in place today.
These people are in need and not refuse. "Every "man" is created equal" is another quote to place herein.
Yes they did wrong but we all do wrong. If everyone was convicted for every crime they commit the streets would be completely empty. As would the schools, churches, offices and the White House, the World.
They did wrong, they got caught, nothing more. Very Human action to go against "no" especially when "need" is in play.
The next step is the measure of a society. To kill a drugs offender or any criminal is not to see that all we are doing is "legally" ending the pain of this poor persons life. Excising them, yes, but we killed them. We murdered them a member of society, a brother or sister. We then are all to be punished under the Thou Shalt Not Kill list of 10, no?
We are also saying we have given up on this person, the ultimate betrayal of a society made of family.
I worked in the psych ward of a children's prison and I am aware that there are people who are beyond the "touch of man". In these cases society does very much need to be protected but these people are only currently psychologically/psychologically incapable of being reached.
To put a bullet through their brainbox again only makes society culpable in their death. And someone has to pull the trigger or flick the switch or whatever "humane" method is the flavor of the week. Yes, this person, sorry this man says "just doin' my job" and claims he "just brushes it off" but if it doesn't effect him the executing, murdering, legally or otherwise of another Human then society needs to be protected from him.
Huge but again this, Wayfarer could happen to you, you like me are very fallible and we all make mistakes and missteps. Don't you deserve a fair shake? Don't you deserve to be treated well, like a Human?
And as for mental stability that is totally fluid. The correct series of events could well put you into some very bad places very quickly. We, as Humans are also reactionary, on this don't react but think.
Good luck out there