Muggers Delight

[Head Honcho]

How does this help the person who has already suffered at the hands of a criminal?

I don't know what your getting at

Are you saying that because we can't help the victim we shouldn't punish the criminals?

[breadandcheese]

I cannot understand this logic of prisons are becoming crowded, we need to stop sending people there. Am I the only one who thinks, build some more.

However, I feel that it is all misplaced. I can't help feel that most of the problem stems from the belief that you are very unlikely to be caught, prosecuted and convicted. It is human nature to be a "chancer". If you can get away with something, how many will? If potential criminals thought they stood little chance of getting away with perceived petty crimes (like vandalism, robbery, etc) and would recieve a tough punishment, not many would go ahead with a bout of happy slapping or nicking a phone.

For anyone who suffers a mugging or a drunken assault, how likely is it that the person will be caught? Very small.

Even the most stupid criminals know that it is not worth attempting to steal a £50 phone if they know they will almost certainly be caught and lose 2 years of freedom. It is all a trade-off. Make it more likely that criminals are unable to get away with a crime and they will be less likely to do it when the rewards are low.

(Granted this will not stop high value crime, but nothing ever will)

[Steven]

I don't know what your getting at

Are you saying that because we can't help the victim we shouldn't punish the criminals?

What I am saying is that current "Law and Order" policies do not help the victim, by not making them a victim in the first place, but only satisfy Governmental and Police requirements.

[Head Honcho]

What I am saying is that current "Law and Order" policies do not help the victim, by not making them a victim in the first place, but only satisfy Governmental and Police requirements.

I agree totally

But then we all know that for every organisation there is to help the victim there are 10 to help the criminal!

[Rincewind]

Surely the solution is have an alternative for the criminal minded and inmates to committing a crime? It may not always be the case but a man/woman is less likely to steal a loaf of bread to feed their children if they can afford to buy one. Prisons may not always be the best option as they are potentially a training ground for criminals. What do first offenders discuss with other prisoners whilst inside? My guess is why they got caught and better ways to avoid getting caught. Not a bright idea because dicussing better methods with perpetual offenders is like asking Harold Shipman the best way to treat a patient.

Building more prisons is not a solution. I don't know the solution but in this world we live in there will always be some sections of the have-nots who resent the haves having it all and will try to address the balance.

[TrickyTrev]

Chose people on merit I say. Everyone gets comparable education opportunities.

You're getting to the stage in this country where whites don't feel they've got the chance of getting a worthwhile job anywhere cos of all the vet-out clauses and, like I say, it is causing more and more resentment and more and more people (who are qualified enough) to move aboad.

Both bollcoks.

Only certain public sector jobs are required to prositively discriminate for the reasosn already outlined. Even then, the requirement is for ethnic minropities to be proportionately represented. As over 90% of the population white, it really is a very small issue.

As for comparable education oppurtunities, you must be dillusional. There is massive inequality in our education sytem, "selection via mortgage" and all that. Not to mention the continued existance of private education. I'm applying to a university where 50% of the students are from independent schools, a large proportion of the other students are form top grammar schools and well respected comprehensives in affluent areas. Are there equal oppurtunities and is there a comparable education system. Ofcourse bloody not.

[TrickyTrev]

I cannot understand this logic of prisons are becoming crowded, we need to stop sending people there. Am I the only one who thinks, build some more.

However, I feel that it is all misplaced. I can't help feel that most of the problem stems from the belief that you are very unlikely to be caught, prosecuted and convicted. It is human nature to be a "chancer". If you can get away with something, how many will? If potential criminals thought they stood little chance of getting away with perceived petty crimes (like vandalism, robbery, etc) and would recieve a tough punishment, not many would go ahead with a bout of happy slapping or nicking a phone.

For anyone who suffers a mugging or a drunken assault, how likely is it that the person will be caught? Very small.

Even the most stupid criminals know that it is not worth attempting to steal a £50 phone if they know they will almost certainly be caught and lose 2 years of freedom. It is all a trade-off. Make it more likely that criminals are unable to get away with a crime and they will be less likely to do it when the rewards are low.

(Granted this will not stop high value crime, but nothing ever will)

I agree with this, it is proven the only effective deterrent is that of being caught.

As for why the don't build more prisons...

They are expensive to build and maintain

They don't work

No one wants a prison in their local area

[Head Honcho]

Both bollcoks.

Only certain public sector jobs are required to prositively discriminate for the reasosn already outlined. Even then, the requirement is for ethnic minropities to be proportionately represented. As over 90% of the population white, it really is a very small issue.

As for comparable education oppurtunities, you must be dillusional. There is massive inequality in our education sytem, "selection via mortgage" and all that. Not to mention the continued existance of private education. I'm applying to a university where 50% of the students are from independent schools, a large proportion of the other students are form top grammar schools and well respected comprehensives in affluent areas. Are there equal oppurtunities and is there a comparable education system. Ofcourse bloody not.

Can you explain to me why 70% of the Commission for Racial Equality employees are from ethnic backgrounds then? Or is it Ok for them to be disproportionate?

Funny how this information has only just become available under the freedom of information act.