At a general public meeting

They decided, on reflection

To replace the penal system

With a simple lead injection

Some people stood and argued

That shooting was too good

“Just take them from the court room

And hang ‘em in the wood”

Some others had their own ideas

On criminals and muggers

“Drag them to the river

And drown the little buggers”

Then the voice of reason

Persuaded quite a few

That treating prisoners this way

Was not the thing to do

“We’ll keep them in their prison cells

All cosy, dry and warm,

With lots of cash and man hours

They’ll hopefully reform,

But should this method fail to work

And progress not be made

We’ll take ‘em to the prison yard

And beat ‘em with a spade”

ã  John W Fenn  26-03-2009