This seems like an extremely unfair and disingenuous comparison, assuming that one believes the current system also rehabilitates people, since we don't generally assume Fred has been ego-executed during the 10 year sentence he would have had otherwise.

If the outcome is the same then why would it be creepy for this to happen over the course of a weekend instead of 10 years? After all, either way, Fred is "a shining example of penitence and good taste" and has a sudden interest in chess...