Get Out Of Jail Free.

[david small]

It's been announced that women who commit lesser crimes, shoplifting etc should not be sent to jail. Discrimination? Ridiculous idea? Asking for trouble? Your thoughts

[Sqad]

nailit......Kvalis correct.
depression is more common in women.
Bipolar is more common in women.
Anxiety states are more common in women.

Someone will come along with the inevitable links, but they are the facts.

[nailit]

Thanks Sqad. I would be interested in seeing the stats for the ratio of mental illness in male/female prisoners though, not the population as a whole. Also mental illness is more than just depression and anxiety. I was thinking along the lines of schizophrenia etc.

[ummmm]

It might be a case that women are easier to rehabilitate.

[Sqad]

Nailit...OK.
Schizophrenia is more common in males.

I was just giving you the ratio for the common psychiatric illnesses.

[kvalidir]

There will be some somewhere online but I'll ask my Dad when he calls later because he mentored prisoners when he lived in the UK, and employed almost exclusively ex offenders ( being one himself) and he was always very keen to employ women because he said that statistically they are far more affected by prison than men.

There is this but that's not really what I'm talking about. I'll get back to you on it once I've spoken to him.x

http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/WhatWeDo/ProjectsResearch/Mentalhealth

[nailit]

OK thanks Kval. As I said Im not disbelieving you, would just be interested in the stats, thanks :-)

[cassa333]

It depends on how many thefts and the value of those thefts they are being prosecuted for.

The odd one or two out of desperation and a slap on the rise is probably in order.

But what about prolific offenders? Or those that target high value items?

[New Judge]

"I think that people who commit crimes, where one is not at danger or causing distress to others in society, should not end up in jail. It is a waste of tax payers money."

OK then Gherkins. Answer me this (which I pose to all people who advocate the abolition of prison sentences): The defendant has committed a minor offence which does not endanger, injure or distress to anybody. A fine is imposed. The defendant says "Nah, not paying that". He (or she) is returned to court and a Community Order is imposed (let's say some unpaid work). Defendant says "Nah, not doing that". What's next? Because the options under your scenario are somewhat limited to "Oh alright then. We'll forget about it this time".

Custody is the only sanction which requires no co-operation from the defendant and it must remain as a sanction if the criminal justice system is to have any integrity. Furthermore, if you visit any court where defendants are being sentenced and they face a choice of custody or other sanctions, if they avoid custody they punch the air with glee. Anything else is a "result" because that is all they are interested in avoiding.

[Old_Geezer]

They would surely not be gaoled for minor stuff anyway. We're considering those for whom gaol is presently deemed appropriate. There must not be a gender difference. If society is going to claim not to be hypocritical it can not gaol a male offender yet let it be known that for a female offender in the same circumstances that the attitude would be, "There there, poor thing, we know your gender worries more so you are spared gaol and receive a lighter penalty."

As for allowing both genders to avoid gaol, that has to be controversial. Most seem to think it's not acting as a big enough deterrent already without giving up and taking folk out.