Death Penalty: Solution, Deterent, Hypocrisy?

I was reading a post again... Aren't I always before one of these?
I want to say it's hypocrisy to condemn a person to death for the crime of murder. And I believe it is.
As always with humanity, the simple answer just doesn't fit.
Add to that our system of checks & balances that often allows an unending appeal process. A process that ensures a fair trial on behalf of the accused.
It all becomes mired with our societal moral code, & a stalemate is reached so that nothing is accomplished.
Now we've brought DNA into the fray & tons of cases are getting repealed. Sadly, some have died innocently.
I imagine a big part could be solved by simply getting it right from the start. Admittedly DNA is helping with that now. I'd be curious to see a study done on how many times the best bet for a suspect has been the guy.
Now... There's a belief that revenge is an empty emotion, and I'm inclined to agree with that. As Ghandi said, 'An eye for an eye only makes the whole world blind.'
Yet...a life taken should be balanced by the punishment of the taker. Here's the problem I have with the way it's done currently.
A person kills someone, they're caught, they go to jail. Now, most likely they can postpone their sentence at least another 10 years. 10 years that too many victims spend hating the accused, & not coping with the new path that has been placed before them. Of course, it's not fair that their life was changed so brutally. Sadly, the adage is true. Noone ever said life was fair. I know that sounds insensitive, but it's not. You have two big choices as I see it. You live, or you don't. Mourn, cry for what was lost, but do not become lost with them.
Now let's return to that jail cell with the condemned. If the person is worth redeeming, why would we not? Don't worry. I can feel the slippery slope beneath me. I believe that for a truly humane person, the taking of a life will never leave them. They will strive to make it up to the world. I think they deserve that chance. Nothing can bring a person back, but if good can be done...
Then there are the people that don't value life, don't care that they took someone out of the world. This person should not be in the world either. To kill them is hypocritical, but to place them in a jail cell for the remainder of their years is arguably the same end. In jail we have to pay for their continued existence. Where is the good balance? Hopefully, given time alone in a cell, their outlook will change.
Obviously the insanity factor is difficult...
I don't believe it is a deterent. With our appeal system, which is a good idea, clearly, it lacks teeth. What's jail? Yeah...maybe I'll have to watch my ass, but I get 3 square meals, free cable, education, gym...
I say start by making jail a prison. No cable, no gym, give them the same funding for food as a soup kitchen. Education is allowed if they seek it. Murderers & rapists are alone in a cell, no bars, just walls. Leave them nothing, but their selves to deal with. Prison should be humane, but not better than poverty level. I can't afford cable & a gym. Why should my tax dollars give them a better life than I have?
It's truly amazing to forgive such a heinous act. I wish that was viable. Too many killers, I fear, would do it again.
I say prove conclusively, jail them for life, or until there's a way for them to make what amends/atonement are possible. At least if it's the wrong guy, he's not dead.