Death should be an option, but in only one circumstance.
Child molesters, for instance, where there is a certainty that if turned loose they would commit the same crimes. In that case it's not punishment but insurance no other person or family would have to suffer because of their pathology.
Otherwise, it's barbarity.
The fact that it's a response to barbarity is NO excuse.
The good guys are supposed to be better than the bad guys. Bush is an example. A bad guy.