The Pennsylvania murderer fugitive: Terror all around

Comment published on New York Times blog, in response to news article, “Pennsylvania fugitive now armed after stealing rifle from garage,” September 12, 2023:

Of course, this man obviously should not be allowed to live in freedom, roaming streets or woods or anywhere else. On the other hand, it's not hard to understand why someone would want to break out of prison and be desperate to avoid at all costs being caught. Especially in America, where prisons are awful. American culture is sustained ethically by a moralism that tolerates a lot of cruelty. My wish is that people like this man be kept locked up -- but with less cruelty. There must be many people who have lived in American prisons who can at least understand this man's predicament. The entire story of what he has done and now obviously fears is disheartening all around, and of course in a way that warrants his speedy capture but apart from that justifies: nothing.