Today, I heard on the news that David Cameron is backing the idea that Rapists and other sex offenders can be released after serving only half their sentence, if they plead guilty. Now, that in my eyes is just taking the piss because who will be next, murderers.
Sex offenders don't get a long enough sentence and now can be released after serving half their sentence.
It just shows how fucked up the current government is.
I think David (call me Dave) Cameron has changed his mind (again ?) and knocked this idea on the head.
Has anyone seen Kenneth Clarke ?
Labour made me laugh criticising this Policy as they already had a 33% discount if the Offender pleaded guilty at the earliest oppurtunity.
According to news reports David Cameron summoned Ken Clarke for a one to one meeting and told him to rethink his plans. I should bloody well think so, there should be no leniency for rapists, pedophiles and murderers. Since when did money become more important than people? no matter how bad things are, just build more prisons and put them away for longer, or just reinstate capital punishment.
I just don't think it should be a matter even up for debate. If it was up to me, i'd have them all castrated before they're even considered to be released.
yeh it was shelved for the moment.
Our Court system is an adversarial one.
However if the Offender pleads guilty early on then the 'Victim' (Rape or otherwise) would not have to be put through the ordeal of a Court appearance and having to relive the attack and then be cross examined on thier evidence.
Prehaps this is worth a reduction in the eventual sentence ?
I don't have the answer
From a point of principle, it's a f*cking disgrace. Even if not, it's a disgrace anyway.
In my opinion, any offender, once given their sentence should "fulfil", in full, that sentence in the publics' eye. Everyone will then know where they stand - none of this crap of being released early for good behaviour, guilty pleas and god only knows what else.
I admit, i'm a "nobody" who doesn't know the ins and outs of everything in this respect, but everything in this country just seems so convoluted and made to be difficult when there's really no need.
However, mrwotzup has made a valuable point re victims possibly re-living their ordeal - maybe ask the victims what they would prefer. But like he said himself, i too don't have the answer. Difficult one.
cut their bolox off
I agree with Schmoo and you should serve the full sentence given. If you get sentenced to 15yrs, you serve 15yrs.
I also appreciate the point that mrwotsup made about putting the victims through the ordeal again.
I just don't think the current sentences are any where near tough enough.
Prime example, in the US, rape normally serves 20yrs to life sentences and you usally have to serve the whole sentence.
The whole issue boils down to money, which the government does not have. No finances to build prisons, detain the accused, employ guards, upkeep the police force and the list goes on. This ridiculous suggestion is a quick solution to a bigger problem.
Unfortunately the innocent victims are penalized once again.