No Jail for Burglars.....

[R1Geezer]

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/51659/Now- burglars-will-not-be-jailed
Well I suppose they are like butlins anyway but perlease, is it worth turning to a ife of crime? Certainly it's looking like a governement recruit a burglar scheme. What next Gordon opens up a string of "Hot" gear shops to buy and sell the ill gotten? You could'nt make it up!

[naomi24]

Labour's 'tough on crime' promise? Well that worked, didn't it!

[Gromit]

This is a consultation document.

It is not the law.

It is not the draft of a law.

"Launching a consultation, the panel - which advises on general sentencing principles - said it wanted to kickstart a debate over whether courts are sending the right people to jail."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2269641 /Tens-of-thousands-of-criminals-to-be-spared-s hort-jail-terms.html

[R1Geezer]

so bl00dy what Gromit, it's laughable in the extreme, why is anyone wasting time even talking about it? ...unless of course it's on the way.

Ok heres my discussion group, Burglary 5 years minumum no remission, second offence 10 years no remission. Jails full? Build some more!

[Oneeyedvic]

�The mood and temper of the public in regard to the
treatment of crime and criminals is one of the most
unfailing tests of the civilisation of any country.

A calm and dispassionate recognition of the rights of
the accused against the State, and even of convicted
criminals against the State, a constant heart-searching
by all charged with the duty of punishment, a desire
and eagerness to rehabilitate in the world of industry
all those who have paid their dues in the hard coinage
of punishment, tireless efforts towards the discovery of
curative and regenerating processes, and an unfaltering
faith that there is a treasure, if you can only find it, in
the heart of every man - these are the symbols which
in the treatment of crime and criminals mark and
measure the stored-up strength of a nation, and are the
sign and proof of the living virtue in it.�

[Gromit]

naomi24

Yes, there are a record number of people in UK prisons. 83,000 at the last count.

We could build more prisons but that will take time and a great deal of money.

In the meantime, we could let all the murderers and rapists out to make room for the burglars.

[ludwig]

It's not as stupid an idea as it sounds. My own belief is that there are too many people in prison for things like not paying the TV licence, not paying council tax, heckling the prime minister at the labour party conference etc. Crimes that could be repaid in ways other than imprisonment.
Space could be freed up so that longer custodial sentences can be imposed on the people who really should be locked away - violent people - thugs and abusers who are constant physical danger to others.

That's not to say that burglary isn't serious of course. It's a form of violence in itself, but it's a debate worth having.

[youngmafbog]

I say lock up the pensioners for not paying the poll tax.

Let out all the rapists murderers,theives and illegal immigrants. Poor darlings what have they ever done to be locked up.

What twadle I am reading on this post. R1 I am 100% with you only it should be in a proper Jail like those in Turkey, dubai or Thailand.

[naomi24]

Gromit, Yes, there are a record number of people in UK prisons. 83,000 at the last count. Mmm ... could that be because crime levels are a bit of a problem?

We could build more prisons but that will take time and a great deal of money. Well so be it. Rather that than downgrade certain categories of serious crime, and allow the perpetrators to go their merry way to pursue their chosen career.

Ludwig is right. People needn't be imprisoned for non-payment of council tax, etc, especially when our prisons are so full - but burglers should most certainly be jailed.

[naomi24]

Sorry, 'burglars'.

[jake-the-peg]

We have a greater proportion of our population in gaol than any other European country.

How many do you need to send to gaol before you'll admit that it doesn't work?

The US has the worlds highest prison population - well that stops crime there doesn't it?

Isn't it just the case that the right wing has no answers to crime so they just continue to yell "lock them up"? and lock them up for longer.


Incidently "Gordon's hot gear shops" have been running for years

See you at

http://www.bumblebeeauctions.co.uk/XcAuctionPr o.asp

[naomi24]

So what's the answer, Jake? How do we stop burglars?

[keyplus90]

How do we stop them? Very easy...................

[eyebrows]

burglary is good for teh economy....stop your moaning...

[naomi24]

Go on then, Keyplus - I'll fall for it.

[monkeyeyes]

Al you need is a sharp blade and a whet-stone, eh, keyplus ?

[monkeyeyes]

Who's 'Al'................? :o)

[naomi24]

Not another one like you is it, you little monkey. :o)

[naomi24]

Keyplus, what can you mean?

[jake-the-peg]

Firstly stop knee jerking sending kids to prison.

You do that they come out, can't or don't want get jobs and 20 minutes later guess what they're stealing again.

You need much more investment in the parole system so that those who do come out of prison are found work, and monitored. It's overworked and underfunded because people like you want to send everyone inside.

Secondly you need much better training for these kids so that they can get decent jobs - A ridiculous number of prisoners are illiterate and innumerate. They dropped out of school and never went back.

Drugs programs - probably the majority of burglaries are funding drugs habits - sending junkies to normal jails gets you nowhere fast - I'd suggest secure detox units probably attached to prisons and release dates to be dependant on progress - like a druggies IPP.

There's a lot more that could be done but I haven't got time now

Knuckle-dragging "lock em up" does sweet fa it requires thought and money!

Where do we get the money from? - I'd look at the insurance industry - they're currently footing the bill

[Oneeyedvic]

naomi, as I said on the other post, what some of us 'liberal do gooders' are saying, is that this is a consultation document and has been drafted to promote discussion.

R1 has made the point that it shouldn't even be discussed ... it's laughable in the extreme, why is anyone wasting time even talking about it?

Would you prefer to talk about different options (or rather let professionals who have studied and researched the topic) or would you rather people who have no specialist knowledge on the subject, no statistical data to back up their argument and want to pander to the 'hang em high' brigade stifle all discussion?