And it continues….
The politics behind the post below, and the underlying refusal to address the deper issues has triggered a spread of similar situations.
Mr Reid’s plea for fewer people to be imprisoned brought public anger after two paedophiles were not given custodial sentences.
Public anger? No shit Sherlock!
A second paedophile was released on bail by a judge who said that, a week earlier, he would have been sent to prison.
And then…..
the Home Office admitted that it had operated an unlawful policy by detaining child asylum-seekers.
Right, so they’re happy to lock up kids trying to seek asylum but not the paedophiles? I’m confused. I wrote this earlier today as a response to a thread here.
This is politics. The judge got a memo saying he should consider non custodial options as the UK prisons are over crowded.
Now, to my mind, the problem goes so much deeper. Why are the prisons overcrowded?
Perhaps if the rehab programs for first time offenders were improved they wouldn’t be in there so long and then wouldn’t re-offend. Perhaps if prison was more of a punishment then offenders wouldn’t be so nonchalant about going back in. Perhaps the education system should allow our children more chance to internalise a moral code, rather than force feeding them one that at times makes no sense. Perhaps some offences don’t need a custodial sentence. Perhaps drug and alcohol addiction programs need more funding as an alternative to prison. Perhaps an alternative to custody while awaiting court would be appropriate for some.
Can you tell, this has my hackles up?
My gut feeling is that the justice system is just so wrong and is failing so many both inside the prisons and outside, offenders and victims. I’m letting the cauldron of thought bubble a bit for now, I’m sure there’ll be further posts as this develops!
It’s a mess. I’m with you on the addiction programs, having worked with a lot of people who were imprisoned for non-payment of fines etc…..there are some moves to create diversionary programs but it’s a long, slow process.
Comment by Eilidh — January 28, 2007 @ 4:06 pm
Oh you know these sex offenders they don’t lock up? Then they lose them….
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6306807.stm
Comment by ethicallyspeaking — January 28, 2007 @ 4:16 pm