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Originally Posted by Shakey

“seems a lot of people getting wound up. But some good comments. As joe bloe public, just tell us what a scumbag has got. Forget life sentence, just tell us 20 years, nothing less. Forget he was a good boy and kept saying sorry. The judge saide 20, he does 20 end of ”

There speaks the voice of reason. Joe public want clear simple justice. Nothing complex, simple tarrif where 20 years actually meens 20 years, this just might act as a deterent, everyone knows where they stand and justice will appear to be served. Far too many people are getting rich on the back of a very complex legal system. 

Originally Posted by Ryan

“For now it's giving me something to do  , sad but true. ”

OMG, if you can stop that easily why on earth would you start again? Once an addiction catches hold of you the grip just gets tighter, why risk smoking again. Like Steve says, watch east Enders, run, take up bungee jumping....anything but smoking..

it is possibly the best decision I have made in my life...But I don't want to preach because I hate ex -smokers that do...!

good luck anyway, whatever you decide

Not sure about being a minority race here in Yorkshire? I do however know we are a strange breed, we don't care if the scots go it alone, the Irish may we'll follow and the welsh will in all likelihood continue to worry their sheep. However, if those southern softies try to stop me "eatin tripe and black puddin" there will be carnage tha-nos....

that there government only knows about the north of England since they discovered shale gas and fracking. Am gonna dig me-sen a pit int back gar-din. 

Originally Posted by Barney

“I'm worried as to whether I joined the right forum here, 2 administrators, ones a miserable old git, with the other being lined up as the next state executioner! ”

Garde's reputation for linining the buggers up against the wall is growing fast.... 

And

steve, has been called much worse I am sure....

Think we need Albert pierrpoint back...he would show them how to get the job done. His record was 7.5 seconds from cuffing the offender to sending him on the long drop with a short rope....

Originally Posted by Steve Richardson

“Makes your stop smoking thread even more impressive ”

I think it is the best job in the world, I never have two days the same. It is quite bizarre in that some offenders do appreciate the work we do, especially when we are resolving housing issues and domestic bills for those in the community, not forgetting how we make an argument for the release of the ones in custody etc. Others however would be very happy to dance on my grave, they are the ones that we decide are too dangerous to leave prison and the ones we send back for being bad.

What is amazing was my ability to stop smoking while doing all of the above haha. 

Originally Posted by Garde

“I stupidly assumed life meant, well life, but it appears its around 25 years. Yet someone with 13 life convictions gets to serve around 8-12 years ”

Good point, you may be surprised to hear that the average life's sentence is in fact only 12 to 14 years. I know of one case where a lifer served only 8 years.

The judge will often set a tarrif date and when that is reached the offender is risk assessed with a view to progressing that person through the system. Most lifers a start at category A maximum security establishments (at a cost of £60,000 per year), if they behave they work through cat B, cat C and finally to open conditions (cat D) before release.

If the offender learns how to play the system, they can pay lip service to the parole board and the probation officer who makes the recommendation to progress the inmate, "some officers" remain sceptical and arguably very cautious about those decisions. 

Regrettably the system is stacked against anyone who claims to be innocent (or is actually innocent) in other words they never get discounts on tarrif length and they don't get released early...so it pays to agree with the system, you get out quicker. 

There is a small handful of real "lifers" who will die in prison, Europe wants to change that...

like I said, it's complicated and very frustrating. I have worked with people who should never be released, but have to accept the decision of the parole boards. In contrast I have worked hard to support those who I believe have made changes to their lives and who can contribute to society even though the system did not agree and those individuals remain in custody waiting for the next annual review.

our system works on the assumption that most prisoners will be released, that equates to about 50,000 inmates every year. Probation manage most of these, many are returned to custody when things go wrong, that success is never reported.

By setting a tarrif one must assume that before any release will be considered, the risk of reoffending and potential harm presented by the offender will need to be assessed. That will require experienced proffessionals and a system that is structured and equitable. That system will also be criticised by those who feel our criminal justice system either fails to meet society's thirst foe revenge or a governments weakness in addressing anti social behaviour. Being tough on crime and the causes of crime is a good vote winner. Regrettably the current establishment simply wants to do it on the cheap. 

We do have a system, it's not perfect, I accept that. However, I do wish that we could educate the public about the work of the police, prisons, CPS and probation. I would also like to remove the politics from the issue because justice should be blind, we should assume an individual,is innocent until proven guilty and any punishment of the court should reflect the severity of the crime and serve to protect the public. 

Just watched it, very interesting...thought provoking and very English. The credits claim he hung 608 people, it also quotes him as saying all he achieved was revenge on behalf of the state. 

As it changed my views? No, even though he dealt with nazi concentration camp personnel following the Nuremberg trials. I still don't think the death penalty serves any useful purpose beyond the notion of revenge and retribution. We should be above that and treat people as human beings no matter how disturbed they may be.