Why are prison sentences so pathetic?

[Andy008]

In May I attended a court case where a 20-year old male was sentenced to six years for a catalogue of 28 offences including robberies, attempted robberies, and and an assortment of thefts, plus possesion of a class A drug, and actual bodily harm, and burglary, in the course of paying for a crack habit. I believe that the maximum sentence for robbery in itself is 14 years. I remember hearing something about "plea bargaining", it seemed to me that the more crime he committed, the less severe the punishment. If not, why did he get off so lightly?

[scotty]

 I may be getting into this a little bit late , but I have read what everyone has to say, and then I read in todays paper about a drunk driver who was 3 times over the limit,killed 2 teenagers by ramming them along the road from behind ,chasing them and  forcing them into the path of an oncoming car, killing 2 of the passengers; then he got out of his car and proceeded to punch one of the 2 survivors as their friends lay dying. 

The maximum sentence he could have got is 14 years, he was originally charged with death by dangerous driving, but pleaded guilty to the " LESSER" charge of causing death by careless driving while drunk. In his esteemed wisdom Judge Hezlett Colgan sentenced this ******* to four and a half years in prison. He has already served 5 months on remand , and with good behaviour will be out in probably 2 years ish. 

Now can anyone really tell me with their hand on their heart, that that is a serious sentence. Imagine if he had killed your daughter, son sister or brother how you would be feeling the moment this idiot judge sentenced him . The judge said nothing he could do would assuage the grief of the families. Well , something he could have done was to give the maximum prison sentence of 14 years.It is true that no one can bring back the dead, but there would have some closure for the families, instead of rage and anger ;and an overwhelming feeling of being betrayed by the judiciary.

I cannot believe that anyone can say that our prison sentences are too harsh, on a daily basis we read about cases like this, and it has to stop. It is time these judges lived in the real world and started to give out proper sentences. If millions of pounds had been involved ,ie a bank robbery etc, then you can bet your bottom dollar that he would have recieved the maximum sentence.    

[Buddy]

Well Scotty  - you have very succincntly (sp) summed up what I have been attempting to say.

Bang them up for life - meaning life and rehabilliate the lesser offenders.

The person (too good a word,scumbag) who perpetrated those crimes is a murderer - end off.

[flump1]

scotty   I read the article too and was amazed and disgusted at the sentence handed out to this person who has caused so much abject misery with no regard for anyone. Like you say should it have been my family I think I will be thinking along the vigilante route. I would certainly not think justice had been done here. But where does it leave these already greiving families now? I can only assume they are angry and bitter,I think I would be.

[johnm]

i saw a program on the tv .set in rio where a criminal was dragged from a car and frisked . a gun was found in his waistband and he was dragged out of camera view and shot . now that is what you call saving tax payers money .

[scotty]

I have just read an article in the paper about Simon Wiesenthal the famous nazi hunter. Apparently his warcry was " Justice not vengeance "; and I think he sums up exactly how I feel about the sentencing in this country. I would be happy to pay more taxes to enable more prisons to be built, so these scumbags can be locked up; at least we would know that while they are inside they cannot go on with their killings, muggings and rapings etc. If these liberal minded people took one moment to consider what it would be like to be the victims of these ******** I am sure they may think again. I don't think rehabilitation works too well ; but for those who do want to come out of prison and lead normal lives , then they should get every bit of assistance we can give.One idea I have is that these people could be used in the building of new prisons , and get training as carpenters, brickies ,plumbers etc. They could be paid a wage that is set aside for their release ,so when they come out they not only are trained tradesmen but they have some money in their pocket to enable them to succeed in life . However , there are habitual ,hardened criminals who no matter what don't ever intend to go straight.I don't think society is the right place for them. Justice not vengeance.