Could Living Too Long In An Ivory Tower Addle The Brain?

[sandyRoe]

Professor Ashworth's proposals seem ill considered, to say the least.

http://news.uk.msn.com/uk/dont-jail-thieves-says-law-expert

[naomi24]

Ummmm, oh, right. Good.

[ummmm]

I couldn't sleep for weeks after I was burgled.

[FredPuli43]

The difference between the academic ; a habit of thought which young lawyers, fresh from the exams, have to rapidly disown; and the practical.

How many offences of simple dishonesty has someone to commit before prison becomes appropriate, if ever? The Professor forgets the deterrent element in sentencing. Banging someone up for 6 months may prevent them from thinking that crime pays.

[jake-the-peg]

//The Professor forgets the deterrent element in sentencing//

What deterrant effect is that Fred?

I think the deterrant effect is largely a fantasy - people don't think they're going to be caught or they act on impulse.

The US has capital punishment and a huge murder rate

I think a lot of people feel that the idea of prison would deter them from committing crime so it should deter others - which is a bit of a mistake

When you ask them though they also generally would tell you that they wouldn't rob a bank or burgle a house even if they were guaranteed not to get caught - the logic of deterrant is certainly perverse

[Old_Geezer]

Might it be more of a deterrent to doing it a second time rather than a first ? The 'others get caught not me' belief having been knocked.

[FredPuli43]

Jake, jail is a shock to a first timer. That's why the old Stipendiary Magistrates used to use to remand them in custody 'for reports': the Magistrate knew that just two or three weeks would have an effect.

[naomi24]

Even if prison is not a deterrent - and I'm not sure it isn't - it stops the perpetrator from doing it to anyone else for a while at least - and that can only be a good thing.

[emmie]

he said property theft, that would be mugging and burglary..

[sandyRoe]

I don't think the powers-that-be fully realise the upset that burglary can cause. When a thief is in your home their crime is really in your face.

[LazyGun]

@Em - I may be misunderstanding you, but from your comments, are you thinking that this guy thinks Burglary is NOT an imprisonable offence?

It is quite clear from the article that this is not what he thinks. To repeat from an earlier post;
"And from the report, it appears that the Professor believes burglary is a sufficiently heinous crime to warrant jail time.
"Prof Ashworth said while prison should still be considered in cases of robbery, blackmail and burglary, its use is disproportionate for crimes that do not involve violence, threats or sexual assault. He said fines and community sentences would be more effective and proportionate and would benefit victims more, as they are less likely to get compensation from someone behind bars with little or no income."