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Coffee House => Coffee House Boards => CH / General => Topic started by: motorollin on March 11, 2008, 06:31:35 PM
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Something else to add to the list of things which make Britain a f*cking disgrace.
Thieves who target vulnerable victims, such as the elderly, may not be sent to jail in future - if it is shown they were motivated by desperation or need.
At present, such offences attract a prison sentence of at least 18 weeks.
The Sentencing Guidelines Council (SGC), which advises courts in England and Wales, will call for the use of more community orders in future.
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Among other planned changes is a suggestion that thieves who steal from shops could escape prison even if they use force which causes a victim minor injuries.
So junkies will soon be able to attack people and steal from them, and as long as they can show that they were motivated by their "need" for drugs, they will be let out on the street. Great!
Full story (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7288913.stm)
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moto
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The idea isn't too bad; starving people shouldn't be punished too hard for stealing a loaf of bread, though I really, really don't think this would be the main use for a law like this.
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whabang wrote:
The idea isn't too bad; starving people shouldn't be punished too hard for stealing a loaf of bread
Starving people don't choose to starve.
I really don't care about the motives of people who attack others and steal or damage other people's property. I don't care if they "need" drugs. I don't care what justification they want to give for their actions. I only care about the people who do these things being kept away from civilised members of society.
Here is my opinion. I think it's quite unethical to expect people who commit violent crimes to conform to society's expectations of decent behaviour. If these people want to behave like animals, then we should let them. They shouldn't be "caged" by civilisation. They should be released in to the wild where they can live their lives in the way they wish - as animals. Preferably in the middle of a rainforest so that they can never find their way back to civilisation.
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moto
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Isn't this concept already televised as Survivor?
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I dunno, Moto, I got a strong feeling that this is just a half of the story.
Either it's only intended for cutting costs, or they try a different approach (like enforced detoxication).
I sincerely hope the latter.
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finding other ways to deal with people like this is a good idea. community service, detox programs anything. the us has thousands of people in jail basically because they are addicted.
throwing someone in jail who has very few options for leading a decent life takes away even more options. minor offenders many times can actually be "rehabilitated" if they are given help repeat offenders and people who steal because they dont want to do anything else many times will return to crime after their sentence.