Parole - what is the point?

[Joe Public]

If someone is sentenced to, say, ten years, then after ten years, if they behave themselves, they will be allowed to leave prison. If they dont behave, they will stay there for longer. Hows that for a policy!

[january_bug]

People need to be eased back into society.  After 10 years of having your every move controlled by someone else it's hard to look after hourself.  Released prisoners may have no home, no job and no family.  Parole gives them a chance to re-integrate slowly. 

Also, and perhaps more importantly, it's a "trial" time of being out.  If they just come out after 10 years, and then reoffend, it's a lot more hassle and expense to get them back in again.  If they're on parole, it's simpler and cheaper. 

Your idea is just too simplistic Joe Public.  But then 'Joe Public's' ideas usually are!

[Joe Public]

Here's me thinking that prison was supposed to be a punnishment. I didn't realise it was actually Betty Ford for criminals.

Please dont spout Human rights. What about their victims rights?

Nuff said

[VINNY100_2]

And I always thought that parole came before the allotted  sentence..was..up.. by a couple of years..or..so!!oh..well.,.you learn something everyday..(:)

[january_bug]

I didn't say anything about prisoner's rights. 

I said about trying to stop them reoffending. 

You are clearly not going to listen so I will not waste my time on you you rude person. 

[january_bug]

Who said it wasn't vinny?

[VINNY100_2]

I think there trying to wind you up..acw!!..(:)

[january_bug]

Yeah I know - I'm just wondering if it's whiffey, 10CS, Loosehead or Dom Tuk.  Oh, or Buddy even, but I doubt that one.  Any guesses Vinny!?!

[Joe Public]

Not rude, just trying to understand this left-wing "justice" we have to endure.

Not trying to ruffle feathers.

Ever heard of the phrase "If you cant do the time......."

[january_bug]

Yes you were and yes I have.  And if "enduring" life in this country is so bad, either spend your time trying to improve it, move, or stop whinging. 

Oh yeah, and JP/Loosehead, just stop it now ok, it's boring. I've requested a special section for you - I hope you appreciate the gesture. 

[Loosehead]

I'm staying out of this but for the record Joe Public is not me! I would never hide behind another name.

[january_bug]

Alright then Loosehead - I'll belive you - though goodness knows why! (Acutally, only because I'd hope you'd believe me in the same situation!). 

I'd love to know who it is though!

[Buddy]

Here jan-bug keep me out of this one - LOL

I wouldnt dream of hiding behind an alias or winding you up!!!

[Buddy]

P.S I agree with your initial comments BTW

[january_bug]

Cheers Buddy - I knew it wasn't you!  Oh - and I belive you on the FIRST part of your post! :-p

[Miss Zippy]

Joe Public, a prisoner cannot be detained in prison for longer than their prescribed prison term, notwithstanding any bad behaviour in prison (unless they committed and were convicted for a second criminal offence whilst in prison).  The earliest point at which a prisoner (sentenced since 1992, the rules are slightly different for those sentenced before 1992) can become eligible for parole is when they have served half their term.  So, to follow your example, someone serving a ten year sentence would be eligible for parole at roughly five years (I say roughly because time spent on remand is also taken into account). If parole is granted, the person will be released on licence (i.e. they can be recalled back to prison if they break the terms of their parole condition or commit an offence).  If parole is refused, they will be usually become eligible to be considered for parole again in one year�s time (and so on if parole is refused a second time).

[Dom Tuk]

Joe Public....i guess the main thrust of your argument is the frustation you (and others) feel at the number of years convicts spend in prison. They are out after serving half their sentence if at all. The main problem is that our prisons are full. We cannot put more in them. As our society demands that convicted people have to be afforded a decent prison we are bound to keep them in proper prisons. if not we could have the situation in 3rd world countries where there are 10 to a cell and thats when you stop counting. besides we have a number of foriegn prisoners (drug runners, people traffickers etc).

So in the short term your policy will not work. The stated govt policy is to get as few people into the prison system and to get those already inside out as quickly as possible.

And what was that jan bug about impersonation.....come on i will fight my corner.I dont need aliases

[january_bug]

True true Dom Tuk - you love stabbing me in the front and back without a balaclava.  How grateful I am. 

[Dom Tuk]

I dont know what you are on about. i suspect the post you are alluding to has been taken off so i cannot guess what it was all about. Stabbing?? oh dear!

[january_bug]

Dom Tuk - will respond to this elsewhere as relates more to another thread and don't want to waste space on Joe Public's.