I never stated that punishment should be given into the hands of the people. It should be administered by the state, with the active participation of the public.

Whether you like it or not, if you want to hide behind a mask of "civility" the government is an arm of the people, and all the punishments prescribed by law, are prescribed to be "Public." That is, according to the law, all punishments should be carried out by the state, and in full view of the public!
A lot of people confuse being civilized, with being too soft on criminals.

Sure the child rapist was probably raped himself as a child. That was when he was a child, and if he still is a child, then a different course should be applied, as it is now. However, according to the law, an adult knows the difference between right and wrong, regardless of his background, at least to the point that he can, and should be held accountable for his crime.

I disagree that it is usually a crime of opportunity. I have spent many hours with these individuals, and understand that they intend no harm to the child, however they go about it, the act of love for them, is an act of violence for the child. They don't get this. That in their "love," they are completely overwhelming a child. Then the cycle continues, that child, when he grows up, takes his revenge, not on the adult that did this to him, rather, he chooses another child, around the same age, and commits the same crime against this child.

I don't know you, and I wonder about you saying that you disagree with "public" punishment of a crime, but it was ok for your father to "beat the crap" out of the molestor. That was indeed public, and an example of the public taking the prosecution of the crime out of the hands of the criminal justice system, completely. One last thing.

Most of the people who cry for excusing the behavior of a criminal type, are contemplating that behavior in themselves. Most molestors were molested themselves. I, sir, would never trust you to be alone with my child. No offense to you, but it just wouldn't be worth the risk. I'd hate to have to "beat the crap out of you."