>> >> It is not about never using prison, it is about not using it unless
>> you
>> >> have to.
>>
>> We've already got that. Some people seem to live a charmed life. In reality a
>> thief lives a life of eternal 'get out of jail free' cards. So do disqual
>> drivers, no insurance and many, many, more.
It's a matter of degree, I think. Certainly there may be other systems that lock people up more readily (the US?).
>> >> 1) Avoid labelling criminals (e.g. usually no need to disclose previous convictions)
>>
>> I strongly disagree with that. If it walks like a duck...etc.
I think this is a key point, probably more so than the prison aspect.
You have somebody who is convicted of, say, a burglary.
When all is said and done about the "rights" of an employer to know who they are hiring, is society better served by that person stacking shelves at Tesco, or hanging around the streets, looking for easy money.
>> >> 2) Use non-custodial punishments were possible (the whole range, restorative, community service, etc, etc)
>>
>> That would work for people like you or me....trouble is, there's an underclass of awful
>> people that the average person cannot comprehend...and it DOES NOT WORK for them.
Again, it's a matter of degree. You could equally argue that a few weeks or months in prison doesn't work for them either.
Combined with the ability to turn themselves around, and the final consequence of a long prison term, the results might be better.
As for comprehending them, I think that it is fairly easy in many cases. Different people will react to their situation in different ways. It wouldn't seek to excuse the behaviour of somebody who steals, because it's easier than working, but I can understand why they do it. Likewise, I wouldn't excuse the little rich girl who steals for a thrill, but I can understand why they do it.
>> >> 3) Use the threat of prison as a final solution, or for very serious
>> crimes.
>>
>> We've already got this system.
Not really. Yes, I again agree that people are not locked up as frequently here, but it is not the case that the prisons are just full of people serving long sentences after all other avenues have failed. There are plenty on short term sentences, who are almost certain to be out in a few months and back to their old habits.
|
