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Meet the judge who actually does know what he is talking about



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Published Date: 11 August 2008
If a prison sentence is inhumane or unnecessary, why keep demanding jail terms, asks John Scott
WHO do we want in our prisons? It's a simple enough question. Indeed, most people would have a ready answer. Rapists, drug dealers, murderers and other violent criminals as a minimum. Probably others. Those who carry knives, those who kill while dri...



The full article contains 979 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 10 August 2008 8:29 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Legal Issues
 
1

Rabbies Wee Bruthir,

11/08/2008 13:45:19
A very good article Mr Scott, however, my own humble opinion is that we are not 'gaoling' to many criminals, but we are perhaps using the wrong kinds of gaols.

For example, persistent minor crime offenders, who have jobs and reasonably secure employment should be deprived of their 'liberty' for persistent offending'.

This can be done as it is in some Scandinavian countries, by ensuring that the offender attends his normal 'occupation', but completes his 'incarceration' on the weekends.
For example a persistent drunk, rowdy, or other anti-social type, could be sentenced to 60 days and fined along with costs: allowing the convict to work would allow payment of the fine, plus allow payment for the costs involved in incarcerating the said convict, for the '60 day period' which, of course would be served over a 15 'weekend' period at the convicts expense, not the citizens.

I think this would go a long way to prevent 're-offending' and indeed initial offending, if the perp thought that he/she was from the outset going to pay the full cost of any incarceration.

And in the case of young people, the thought of giving up 15 weekends and having to 'pay for the privilege' would be more of a deterrent, than the 'Badge of Community Service', 'ASBO' or a straight forward 'Fine'.
2

Rabbies Wee Bruthir,

11/08/2008 13:47:20
In the above post #1
Reference to '15 weekend' periods, should, of course read '30 weekend' periods, I do apologise.
3

Jock Politicaljunkie,

Glasgow 11/08/2008 17:30:14

#1 (& #2),

A very good and innovative idea - a 60 day sentence in effect being paid up over 30 weekends with the miscreant being granted bail 5 days per week.

Would think a BIG stick may be required to make sure they actually turn up every Friday night. If they should fail to turn up, and therefore prove that they can't be trusted with the midweek bail, then the removal of that bail would turn the sentence into a longer X week sentence (depending on when the breach occurred) so that the same number of WEEKENDS were lost to him. May sound harsh but I doubt too many would breach.
4

ThePeter,

Glasgae 11/08/2008 19:39:07
Can someone please Mug or hit John Scott?
After this John, can u write the same article again with your AFTER expeience?

Sorry, do the crime then do the time


 

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