19. Nov. 2009. – 17:48:33
Problems within the criminal justice system
generally make the headlines on the relatively limited occasions when a serious
mishap occurs. Unlike the NHS where most of us are "customers" the
majority of the population has still just managed not to be engaged within the
system although the numbers are gradually rising but that`s a tale for another
time.
Most caring parents would never dream of
giving a very naughty toddler even the mildest slap on the leg or arm for an
action which the child could not possibly know was dangerous or in some other
way to be avoided. When my own son was three years old and stuck the prongs of
a fork into an electric point I grabbed the fork from him and made it clear
that action could have been very dangerous and could have hurt him. A few
moments later, whilst my back was turned he did it again. I took the fork and
lightly slapped his leg whilst repeating the danger warning. I graduated the
punishment to suit the circumstance.
Recently when faced with a defendant
convicted of criminal damage and considering sentence the list of previous
convictions showed he had first been before the courts in 2007 for criminal
damage and had been sentenced to a community order. The next and final entry
was again for criminal damage less than a year after the first offence. On that
occasion he had been cautioned by police! Doesn`t seem right does it? Repeat
the offence and the punishment is reduced.
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