Kathryn Smith Assaulted In Prison

[agchristie]

Most people will probably say 'so what, it's the least she deserves' but should the prison, with their duty to protect all inmates, have staff who comment 'what goes round, comes round'?

Would such staff properly intervene if such views are held?

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/670415/Sick-mum-Kathryn-Smith-slashed-beaten-inmates-prison-Ayeeshia-Jane

[cassa333]

Contrary to some opinions prison officers are professionals and don't let their personal views impact on their job. In fact to do otherwise would not be very good for them.

I think that in EVERY profession there are bad eggs and I am sure there are some in the prison service but the vast majority work to the rules in everyone's case.

My dad was a prison officer for over 40 years cat a and b and he has seen some of the worst scum in the world and regardless of who they were they always treated them the same.

[jambutty]

I don't really have an answer, but I'm glad she was attacked - sorry.

[jackthehat]

The report of the POs commenting "what goes round, comes round" is made by a third party 'witness'.
It may, or may not have been said, and if it was said the comment may not necessarily have been given with a dismissive shoulder shrug but more with acknowledgement that women prisoners often mete out their own 'justice' to child-abusers.

[bodeker]

I think that prison officers have to care for the prisoners regardless of the crime although they will have their own feelings which should be kept to themselves. My own opinion is hell mend her, she deserves it.

[ummmm]

I used to work in a psych hospital that housed all sorts of criminal. Can't say I ever witnessed any 'patient' being treated differently because of their crime.

[Islay]

Her punishment is to be locked for however many years - that is what our courts have decided is fit and proper not to be beaten to a pulp or cut with homemade knives!
Anyone who condones these types of attacks need to take a long hard look at themselves in the mirror.

[jambutty]

Hang on, I'll just go and have a look!

[agchristie]

It seems peculiar that the area where the assault took place is the only area not covered by cctv. Wouldn't the authorities be particularly mindful of this to prevent such an incident?

I bet extra measures are now put in place or perhaps it will be dismissed as hindsight?

[bodeker]

No sorry, I don't need to look in mirror. Anyone who beats their small child and stamps her to death will not get any sympathy from me.

[jambutty]

I've had a 'long hard look' bodeker and totally agree wth you.

[New Judge]

The deal between the State and the individual is that individuals give up the right to exact retribution on transgressors and in return the State does so on their behalf. There is an agreed scale of punishment for each offence and as far as I know no offences attract a penalty such as getting beaten up by somebody unrelated to the crime committed.

Prisons have a duty to protect prisoners from fellow inmates - especially from those who have some sort of warped sense of duty that leads them to believe that they are entitled to bestow additional punishment on one of their fellow prisoners because they don't like the particular offence they have committed.

[bodeker]

I think if anyone should look in mirror it should be the people who gave this poor child back to this woman.

[Jackdaw33]

...but it's gone on since time immemorial, hence the term 'nonce' (not on communal exercise).

[Prudie]

This report doesn't really say the officers stood and watched and made the comment at the time so a bit murky. To say it afterwards is hardly unprofessional. Honour amongst thieves isn't it, she's lucky she got away with just a 2cm cut.

[New Judge]

The question was not about sympathy. It was about whether she deserves to be beaten up by a stranger. If your answer is "yes" what other offences do you believe deserve such additional punishment?

I have no sympathy for child killers (or burglars, robbers, drink-drivers and most other people who end up in prison) and I believe many sentences are too light. But if you think it is acceptable to allow a prisoner to be beaten up by a fellow inmate then you are condoning the very type of crime which many of them are inside for.

[agchristie]

Prudie > This report doesn't really say the officers stood and watched and made the comment at the time so a bit murky.

I'm not implying that this was the case but my point is, if comments were publicly made, should they be said at all? To me, it undermines the majority of PO's who are able to keep their private views as just that and carry out their duties in accordance with the code of conduct.

[agchristie]

NJ > But if you think it is acceptable to allow a prisoner to be beaten up by a fellow inmate then you are condoning the very type of crime which many of them are inside for.

Naturally, many people are outraged by certain crimes which invariably leads to rubbing of hands with glee when the perpetrator gets a taste of their own medicine.

You are correct NJ. Prison is not an institution for fellow innates to mete out their own revenge.

[bodeker]

Ok, New Judge my only concession is that I don't think they should be allowed to attack another prisoner but if it happens I will not feel any sympathy.

[Prudie]

In an ideal world you are corrct agc, should not happen but only this morning I heard a report on Pentonville - full of drugs, violence and corruption. prison officers have their fair share of rogues too - hardly surprising, you'd have to be a pretty tough character to even contemplate entering such a profession.

[New Judge]

And the idea that people in prison are somehow “honourable” is quite amusing.

Many inmates have committed despicable crimes. They have shown no “sympathy” or respect for their victims who are often vulnerable. Yet suddenly, because a child is involved, we are asked to accept that their “honour” must be respected. Sorry, I don’t buy it. Prisoners have no more right to enforce their views by means of violence than anybody else. They may not like what one of their fellows has done but I don’t like what many prisoners have done. If I was to suggest that somebody who burgled a pensioners house was so despicable I reserve the right to visit them in their cell and give them a good pasting, is that acceptable? Possibly not.