Freedom or not?

[johnjo]

Is it time for Jon Venables and Robert Thompson to be set free? Or will they never be fit to release/

[sloth]

I think that's probably one for the parole board. I detest the way the papers try to stir up public disgust without even attempting to show whether Venables or Thompson have changed and become fit for society. Most people do change significantly between the ages of 10 - 18. I'm not saying they are ready to come out- the crime was horrific - but why should the public decide?

[PDTV]

I don't think children are born bad: their family circumstances and environment make them what they are. Now that these two boys have had the benefit of being removed from both influences, they should be given as much chance as anyone else who has committed a crime.

[maisie]

They should never be released.

[andy hughes]

Everyone must agree, this is a hugely emotive issue, and there is no simple solution. The papers favour the 'vigilante' angle, and there is the notion that the young men's (and that is what they are now) identities will be made known, and revenge will be taken. But how often are released criminals ever found and is revenge taken? It's a thought, and usually remains just that. Regardless of the emotion of the issue, the law must be followed - our laws are what make us civilised, without the framework of legal process, civilisation would degenerate. As for 'freedom' - just how 'free' will these two people ever be? Doomed to carry the wight of their crime in secret for the rest of their lives - it's no substitute for a child's life, but neither is it 'freedom' as I understand the word.