Orange outfits

[PATHIEF]

Should offenders have to wear orange outfits when doing community service?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4548253.stm

[smudge]

Well, seeing as some offenders don't mind dressing up in balaclavas, or wearing hats or hoods to commit their crimes, why should they mind having to wear orange or any other uniform when paying the price?

[jno]

sounds a bit like putting people in the stocks, doesn't it - displaying them in public so people can throw rotten eggs at them. If 'public display' is to become part of punishment where it hasn't previously been, it'd be nice to think MPs had some chance to debate it first.

[netibiza]

Yes orange outfits, leg irons and rock breaking, that'll sort 'em out.

[londondave]

Yes they should be seen to be doing something, I have spotted them being supervised by some scruffy laid back social worker picking up litter in a high street, I realised what was going on but most people didn't! If they were made to wear a bright orange boiler suit whilst doing the community service, people would actually notice that something is being done.

Personally I would like to see them concripted into the army on the 3rd offence

[Lillabet]

I agree with both of the previous posts. I think that there might be some practical difficulties with introducing this.

Firstly there has got to be a cost involved in making all of these uniforms in sizes that can be worn by all offenders. - You'd have to have enough for everyone - you couldn't have some offenders marked out and others not.

Secondly bright orange outfits might work for some types of punishment better than others. I work part time at a big adult education centre which has a youth group attached to it and we both sometimes take people on this type of punishment. A relatively common one is for people who are good at sport having to spend evenings and weekends coaching football etc. Are you going to have bright orange kit? Another is working on a variety of maintenance and conservation projects with the park authorities in the nature reserve - bright orange waders for clearing streams? Basically some of these tasks involve specialist clothing and so you'd have to make the uniforms for these too.

I don't think it would be that straightforward to introduce and like jno I would hope that it would be looked into properly rather than being brought in on a snap decision.

[VINNY100_2]

At least they will be safe crossing roads!!( :)Where did they get the idea for the colour Answerbank?

[londondave]

I fail to see that a offender who likes and enjoys football is  being punished by teaching others the sport!

A ballerina outfit making him do ballet is far better.

As for size difference "TOUGH" make a one size fits all, and if it is not suitable for the work given, then a bright orange arm band with "community service" printed on it.

[Lillabet]

The armband idea I see no real problem with.

As for the uniforms in different sizes point it does have merit. A 5ft skinny teenage girl is highly unlikely to be able to wear the same clothes as a 6ft something big muscly bloke.

and with regard to the football training is not a punishment please bear in mind that this is meant to be community service - what they do is meant to help the community. If a youth service / after school group has lots of kids wanting football training and a shortage of coaches then this is just giving the community the resources they need. There isn't a need in the community for a load of untrained ballerinas...

The punishment is the taking of their time and freedom to do as they please away from the offenders.

[lillylampost]

I think in Manchester they should wear orange jackets with I love Malcolm Glazer on.

[FurryFeet]

As for a one size fits all uniform,,,how about a nice shiny orange lycra jumpsuit.

[smudge]

Let's not make them too elaborate eh? After all, the tax payer will be footing the bill for whatever they end up wearing!

[Gilli]

Leaving aside concerns about colour, style, sizing etc., I don't see anything wrong in "identifying" people doing community service by having them wear some form of "uniform".

Tough you-know-what if they are embarrassed or humiliated by this. They should have thought about that before doing whatever it was that bought them to be doing CS in the 1st place !

And - shock horror - it may just have a deterrent effect upon those who are considering doing the same.

[BigDogsWang]

How about a tattooed forehead, saying 'I'm a criminal'. Much better deterrent.

When they've finished their CS, it could be removed and replaced with 'Done my time'.

[smudge]

Excellent idea BDW!

[Kay]

Londondave and BDW you both echo my sentiments exactly!!!!!!!!

[jno]

tattooing? Used to be known as branding, didn't it? As for conscripting them... so you want recidivist criminals as our first line of defence when Monaco invades us? But rock breaking, now, there's an idea, nothing like making our criminals bigger and stronger!

[netibiza]

but jno they'd never manage to break a fingernail - let alone a rock!!

[tanyavee]

Make them take up knitting  use empty shops and put them in the window they could make clothes for Africa

[acw]

Liillylampost - I worked at the Man City game on sunday - and half the fans WERE wearing "I love Malcom Glazer" t-shirts.  I'm not saying they were all doing community service, or should be (:p) mind you.....Half the city would thank you for the free t-shirts. 

 

Armbands are a good idea.  They'd look a bit like the Air Raid Wardens from the war.  Like that chappy in Dad's Army!

 

Oh - and agreement with lillabet re sensible thoughts on community service. 

[smudge]

We could always use recycled Body Bags.....!