why can't we have proper prison sentences?

[R1Geezer]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8124838.st m
Tell you what he can have 50% off for good behaviour!

[paraffin]

Because we don't live under US Law?

[ClownShoe]

Why can't we have proper prison sentences?

Well they do in america,africa,south america,asia,eastern europe and the middle east,but aint some folks going to be the first to cry 'ITS BARBARIC,WHAT ABOUT OUR HUMAN RIGHTS?" Personally id like to see these kind of crazy sentences handed out to sex offenders!

[whifffey]

The issue of prison sentences is very difficult. For example, mandatory 4 years for carrying a knife would have half the black youth of South London in prison for 4 years. Where? And who pays? There simply isn't the prison space. So society has to let more and more people off scot-free with a "warning" because there is no alternative. The lesson is, get yourself kitted with a knife and anyone who disses you gets it, and you get...... a telling off.

[jake-the-peg]

And you don't think sentencing a 71 year old man to 150 years is a little...er..silly?

Perhaps 300 years? a thousand?

[ClownShoe]

what about most child offenders which happen to be white and get an even more sloppy slap on the wrist then anyone else? Besides in my area your just as likely to encounter knife, gun crime and drug dealing from a white guy as a black guy!

[jake-the-peg]

In 2003 Tony Blair's government brought in IPP sentences

Thousands of criminals determined to be a danger to the public have received these.

These mean that such people cannot be released even if the full term of their sentence has been served unless they can be shown not to be a threat.

Are these not proper sentences?

Still I dare say Cameron will repeal them given half a chance

[Gromit]

Prison is probably the safest place for him.

[ClownShoe]

Gromit i think you need to start watching american prison documentarys about 7ft 300lb shower rapists that are going to make him their makeup,suspender wearing b1tch!

[whifffey]

I think we should consider sentencing which is sensitive to evolving society. For example, if a South London gang member kills another South London gang member, he (or she to be fair) should be commended rather than sentenced, and released with the plea "please go and kill some more". Be nice to see you back here soon!

[R1Geezer]

Whiffey: "The issue of prison sentences is very difficult. For example, mandatory 4 years for carrying a knife would have half the black youth of South London in prison for 4 years"

err and that's bad because......?

"Where? And who pays? There simply isn't the prison space".

Bloody well create some knock up a few Gulags out in the sticks FFS, give them a bowl of Gruel and water every day, they don't have to be Butlins you know.

[123everton]

I think there is some doubt as to the legality of I.P.Ps.
I've nothing against sentences like these, even though they're just window dressing.
In terms of Madoff the big scandal is that his wife is still living high on the hog, the whole family were involved in this and they all should be in jail for similar terms unless they give all their money up, and come out broke. Like most ex-cons.

[ClownShoe]

Are we talking about just blacks here or are other Colours Being ignored?

[paraffin]

Example 1.
Live in the USA, get 150 years for monetary offences aged 79.

Example 2.
Take part in armed robbery of train in England aged 33, go on the run, live life of Riley abroad, return home on private jet paid for by the Sun when health fails aged 71, put into secure jail, transferred to "softer" jail "on compassionate grounds", now awaiting release within weeks to live at taxpayers' expense. Will die a free man.

[ClownShoe]

you forgot........Example 3-Do nothing wrong and have nothing to worry about-


Which is the route i wished i had taken,though i would've been one boring weak,broke Tw@t had i did!

LOL!

[paraffin]

Correction to my last: That heinous criminal in the USA is a mere 71, not 79.

[rov1200]

I bet he's sorry he didn't commit 2nd degree murder. He'd be out within 20 years.

[ludwig]

Jake, why is 150 years 'silly' ?. What number would you have put on it - 50, 30, 10, 5?
Why not nothing ? I mean he's not going to be a threat to the public is he, so why bother with a prison sentence at all?

150 years is just a way to ensure he's never released, and at the same time demonstrate to the victims and potential perpetrators how seriously the crimes are taken. The 12 years his lawyer wanted would have been an insult to them, considering how many lives he's wrecked.
What's the problem with that?