Green Light To The Criminal Fraternity?

[ToraToraTora]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-48594321
So now it's virtually impossible to end up in jail, we'll be awash with petty criminals who know they'll never go to jail. Nice!

[Old_Geezer]

Surely it's always appropriate, unless the sentence needs extending.

[ludwig]

I'm in favour of this. I'd like to see far tougher sentencing for really nasty scumbags, but more community service type sentences for what you might call petty crime.

[douglas9401]

More politicians thinking that they must be seen to be doing something, anything, rather than just sitting about the place talking BS to each other all day.

It's cheaper than jailing the wee scamps so that'll be how it is.

There's a lot to dislike in the First Miniature's government, sadly like elsewhere the choice is even worse.

[spathiphyllum]

I agree with Ludwig.

Prisoners are a burden behind bars. They are a tool in orange jumpsuits with litter pickers.

[sevenOP]

Maybe Assange should have fled North.

[ludwig]

At the moment there's not enough differentiation sentencing wise between crimes like saying someone else was driving when the speed camera picked you up, and attacking someone with a hammer.

The former could be dealt with by fine/driving ban/community service or a combination, whereas the second is clearly a dangerous person that needs locking away for a long time.

As long as they tackle the inadequate sentencing (including parole stupidity) for dangerous scumbags, I'm happy to see fewer imprisonments for the shoplifters and the like.

Obviously there are many caveats to this, but in principle it's a good idea.

[youngmafbog]

The problem with "community service" is that many dont complete it. Same goes for fines, they plead poverty pay a pound a week and then stop paying that.

[youngmafbog]

Perhaps we should stop jailing people for no tv licence to free up a few spaces?

[teacake44]

(Justice secretary Humza Yousaf said community sentences were much more effective for rehabilitation) I would think he says that, providing their not in his community were he lives.

[ludwig]

//The problem with "community service" is that many dont complete it. Same goes for fines, they plead poverty pay a pound a week and then stop paying that. //

If that happens then they go to prison, but prison needn't always be the first option.

[teacake44]

We can fund house for the Queens grandson, but not for new prisons, and staff, what a joke.

[bainbrig]

What makes me laugh about you and your Law & Order Issues, is that the older ones amongst you voted for Thatcher, or Major, then Blair, then the younger ones voted for Cameron, etc.

You have consistently voted for governments who have SLASHED public spending, consequently slashing police numbers to the point where in big cities you can wait days to see a copper after a robbery or assault.

You did it! You voted for this stupid 'Austerity'. You voted for Thatcher and her 'good housekeeping', rate-capping, and all the rest.

And now you look around you at the state of our country, the near-anarchy in many areas, and despair. Go look in a mirror for the culprit!

BB

[teacake44]

Even more of a bigger work load for the police, with a few more thousand running around with tags on.

[teacake44]

bainbrig, You assume a lot that we all did, (really)??

[youngmafbog]

BB, try engaging brain before putting digit to keyboard. And then, most importantly, take of the red speccies and the red rosette off your donkey.

[youngmafbog]

"If that happens then they go to prison, but prison needn't always be the first option."

No it doesnt. And I know that first hand.

[hereIam]

What a weird post from BB !!

[bainbrig]

Okay, hereiam “What a weird post from BB !!”

Then counter it! Did you vote for the bunch of public-spending-cutting liars? If not, then what IS your position?

[naomi24]

Bainbrig, I take it you voted for the people who rifled the working man’s pension pot, who screwed low earners by abolishing the low rate of income tax, and who sold our gold reserves on the cheap – and with all that extra money nevertheless spent the lot and left the country on its knees. No money … where’s your public spending then? Listen to Bainbrig. Venezuela here we come!

[bainbrig]

Idiot.