Criminal intent

**Flatcap** · 13th April 2007, 19:49

Originally Posted by Jim2

We already have to fund one of the biggest per head of capita prison systems in the OECD

Thats the problem with stats - we have one of the biggest / worst of everything in the OECD. The only reason we are in the OECD is Anglo-Saxon arrogance. We should really be relegated to third world and give some rising nation a crack at first division.

Then we would'nt have to live up to the fabled OECD standards, institute the death penalty, and bring down the prison population...

**doc** · 13th April 2007, 19:51

Originally Posted by Jim2

Can you imagine Disco Dan and skidmark sharing a cell?

*shudder*

That is disgusting. I should red rep you. But I won't

**doc** · 13th April 2007, 20:02

Originally Posted by Dave Lobster

That was pretty much my point..

But you've got talkback radio, Socialworkers, opposition party members, nutters , some KB'r members wanting to give them another chance.

**Dave Lobster** · 13th April 2007, 20:04

Originally Posted by doc

But you've got talkback radio, Socialworkers, opposition party members, nutters , some KB'r members wanting to give them another chance.

Three to a cell???

**Horney1** · 13th April 2007, 20:06

Careful what you wish for. Changes in penalties would probably end up being applied over a wide range of offences and the next thing you know it'd be mandatory jail for a +20km/hr offence!

**mstriumph** · 13th April 2007, 20:06

Originally Posted by Dave Lobster

........ with one meal (of soup) a day..................

tart it up with soft music and a few tasteful drapes and you could call it a day spa

**Ixion** · 13th April 2007, 20:08

Harsher (some might say cruel) punishment is superficially attractive. And for a percentage (but I think a small percentage) of the criminals it might be successful in deterring recidivism.

But the reality is the "hardened criminal" who laughs at the present rigour of the system and cares not a whit whether he be sent back to prison, is ONLY a percentage of the total prison population.

Many people who get sent to prison are NOT hardened criminals . They are people who have led a so far (more or less) blameless life , and find themselves behind bars because of a first time mistake , of greed, stupidity, or in some cases sheer bad luck. For them , a prison sentence is a terrible thing. Just in itself. They have lost a lot even before the cell door closes on them. Reputation, job, probably savings and home, very likely lost partner, family,children. They are sent into an environment that is very harsh for a person not accustomed to it. In most cases they will be very determined not to find themselves back there. But, the reality is, that once released , the mechanisms for reintegrating them back into society are so defective and people so unforgiving , that often they will find themselves forced back into a criminal life as a matter of sheer survival.

For these people the harsh punishments suggested would be savage and cruel far beyond what could be justified and far beyond what social utility would suggest or require. I would not want to have to admit to being a member of a society that would inflict such punishment upon them

Others (a large percentage) offend because they are either of deficient mentality , or are psychologically scarred or ill. It is very possible to be extremely mentally ill and yet still satisfy the test for criminal liability. In the nature of things harsher treatment is unlikely to have any effect on recidivism in such people. They are more deserving of pity than of vengence.

It worries me that so many people regard gaol as a mechanism for revenge or retribution. For instance the very often recurring references to rape within the prison system. Do the people who make such suggestions really want to go on record as endorsing rape? Perhaps they endorse it when the victim "deserves it"? Or "was asking for it". I am very uncomfortable with such attitudes. And if prisoners are indeed in danger of rape (or other violence) in gaol, then the Department of Corrections needs a wholesale sacking. If people cannot be kept safe in the secured environment of a gaol, where can they be safe?

**Dave Lobster** · 13th April 2007, 20:13

Originally Posted by Horney1

Careful what you wish for. Changes in penalties would probably end up being applied over a wide range of offences and the next thing you know it'd be mandatory jail for a +20km/hr offence!

At the same time as letting graffiti artists walk free, no doubt..

**Horney1** · 13th April 2007, 20:16

Some pr*ck raped beat and murdered a female relative of mine. I hope he in turn gets raped daily, hates it and is tortured by it.

**doc** · 13th April 2007, 20:18

Originally Posted by mstriumph

tart it up with soft music and a few tasteful drapes and you could call it a day spa

How about the same Abba song all day long, and the spa having 400v pos and neg connections. Take the plunge when you're ready type therapy .You have a choice.

**kro** · 13th April 2007, 20:21

Totally agree Ix, there are some good people in jail, I don't believe every criminal is a bad person..... who here has a work pen at home?, by either intentional or unintentional means?.

The real hard bastards like Burton, who should never have seen the light of day, are testament to a soft penal system imo, and this is the stuff that needs tightening up on.

Look at those countries that flog drug traffickers, thats a harsh fucker of a punishment, and they get 5 or 6 lashes, with a gap in between them for healing time only. Some might say drug trafficking is minor compared to murder, but these countries take this seriously, and I bet they have dissuaded a good amount of would be importers.

I'm not saying flog the bastards, but at least make sure the hard crime gets hard time, and as others have said, make jail less of a holiday rest period after a hards years killing/raping.