Do you think there should be harsher sentences in the UK for repeat offenders
By latsmom
@latsmom (824)
June 8, 2009 6:51pm CST
Hi all. I was hoping to get your response on how you feel about repeat offenders in the UK.
It seems to me that everywhere else in the world people are punished harshly for there crimes yet a lot of people in the UK reoffend as they see prison as an easy ride, the sentences are short and while in there prisoners are rewarded with TV's and extra priveleges while elsewhere in the world they are punished and put in rooms that are fitting of the hanous crime commited. It does not seem fair that money earned by tax payers is put into making people who commit crimes more comfortable while we have people who are living on the streets with nothing.
I think that a lot of people are treated with kid gloves when they shoudl be punished accordingly. It really makes me angry to think that murderers and rapists are given tv's radios, three hot meals a day and have all these rights when everyone else has to work for such privileges.
I just dont get it at all. Is it just me who feels this way? I am a single mom with two beautiful girls and I dont think that because I am in the circumstanse I am that I should go and hurt others or blame my upbringing for what I do and dont have now. I think that the UK should take a look at how the rest of the world treat repeat offenders, maybe then there would be less crime on our streets as people would not see prison as some kind of hotel at the taxpayers expense.
What do you think? I would love to hear.
2 responses
@faisai (1138)
• Hong Kong
9 Jun 09
I can understand you want to seem them punished and it just seems that they are somewhat enjoying their prison life instead. The truth is while they are allowed TV or radios, they do not have a choice. They can't say I wanna watch the soccer game tonight up to 3am and get to bed after that. They can't just go out and enjoy the sun like you do as freely as you can. In fact, quite a lot of rights are removed from them already.
If you just lock them up in a cell around the clock, they may be more difficult to control while in the prison not to mention that they will be so angry at the society for having treated them so badly that it is likely they will commit crime again as a revenge. So, while applying some punishments, don't cross the line is necessary to maintain the balance.
@latsmom (824)
•
9 Jun 09
I think you make a good point there, and there are limitations within the prison. I think though to worry about them being angry with society is something they already feel in some cases or the crime would not have been commited in the first place. I think the restrictions are like those of a child within some prisons and that is why some people re-offend to go back. I definately think the crime should fit the punishment and that if someone continues to re-offend it needs to be looked at why.It is hard to get the balance right, but with the crime rates in the UK there is definately something amiss. thank you for your response
@underdogtoo (9579)
• Philippines
9 Jun 09
Prisons and punishment are a thorn in the side of society because very clearly, they do not work as expected. keeping more people in prison would put greater pressure on the prison system which might not be so good in the long run. Some kind of system which rehabilitates offenders might be a better alternative if it can be found. Cheers!!
