If you got to choose between being executed, and spending your life in prison (with or without a slim chance of being exonerated and freed), which would you pick?

And I'm not arguing for life in every instance. Some would deserve life, others would just get much heftier sentences than they currently doing, with significantly more stringent parole conditions, if applicable.

Life sentences without the possibility of parole/“rehabilitation” just sounds like a more expensive and chronologically delayed means of execution, to me and at first thought... Though I suppose one precludes the possibility of some later, miraculous exoneration

Yeah, certainly not saying it's perfect. Life in prison is far from an ideal outcome, but I still think it's better because it somewhat limits state powers, while still keeping violent criminals away from you and me. But, yeah, the issue is messy, no matter how you slice it and, again, not saying my ideas are perfect by any means. Hell, I'll even say the opposite: My ideas are not perfect, and I totally acknowledge your critique.