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ian@huth · 16-05-2005, 10:58

What has to be considered is that people offend for different reasons and those reasons should be taken into consideration when considering their "punishment".

There are many reasons why people offend. Some do it of their own free will whilst others may be bullied into it.

Some people offend because they do not recognise that what they are doing is wrong whilst others know that it is wrong but still offend because many others do the same and there is little chance of getting found out and punished. Some offend and get caught but the punishment is only a slight inconvenience and there isn't really any social stigma attached to having commited the offence.

Just take two subjects that have been discussed to death in these forums. Breaking speed limits and the downloading / uploading of copyright material. Both of these are offences but many forum members don't regard them as such and continue to breach the law and openly brag about the fact. What signals does this give to the young? Basically the young are being taught that breach of the law doesn't matter if you think the law is not for you or you are likely to get away with the offence.

My view is that any breach of the law should be punished with action that makes the offender think twice about re-offending with any fines levied being really felt by the offender.

All offenders should be analysed to see why they had committed the crime and punishment levied in line with this. No two offenders for the same crime have committed it for the same reason and will respond to the same punishment.

Many years ago I used to work next door to an open prison and was amazed at the standard of living the prisoners had. For many of them they were having a much better standard of living than they had previously had before being committed. Is this a punishment and a deterrent? Quite the opposite I would say.

Tagging and working for the community should be more used with prisons being the dark, dank, bare, stone floored places that nobody would ever want to return to. Give the tagged prisoners a uniform by all means. If they are not willing to abide by the laws of the land then why should they have anonimity.

16-05-2005, 10:58	#62
ian@huth Inactive Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire Services: VM 10Mb, TU, 1xSky HD, 2xSky+ (HD,all packs, sports & movies) 2xDVD PVR's, Freesat Freeview & other Posts: 4,536	Re: Breaking Rocks for yobs What has to be considered is that people offend for different reasons and those reasons should be taken into consideration when considering their "punishment". There are many reasons why people offend. Some do it of their own free will whilst others may be bullied into it. Some people offend because they do not recognise that what they are doing is wrong whilst others know that it is wrong but still offend because many others do the same and there is little chance of getting found out and punished. Some offend and get caught but the punishment is only a slight inconvenience and there isn't really any social stigma attached to having commited the offence. Just take two subjects that have been discussed to death in these forums. Breaking speed limits and the downloading / uploading of copyright material. Both of these are offences but many forum members don't regard them as such and continue to breach the law and openly brag about the fact. What signals does this give to the young? Basically the young are being taught that breach of the law doesn't matter if you think the law is not for you or you are likely to get away with the offence. My view is that any breach of the law should be punished with action that makes the offender think twice about re-offending with any fines levied being really felt by the offender. All offenders should be analysed to see why they had committed the crime and punishment levied in line with this. No two offenders for the same crime have committed it for the same reason and will respond to the same punishment. Many years ago I used to work next door to an open prison and was amazed at the standard of living the prisoners had. For many of them they were having a much better standard of living than they had previously had before being committed. Is this a punishment and a deterrent? Quite the opposite I would say. Tagging and working for the community should be more used with prisons being the dark, dank, bare, stone floored places that nobody would ever want to return to. Give the tagged prisoners a uniform by all means. If they are not willing to abide by the laws of the land then why should they have anonimity.