how's that work then

[fastasfcuk]

last week the home secertary said figures show that over all crime is down, today figures show that the prison population is at an all time high at 81,000. so who's in prison and what for.

[Falcopops]

That's politicians for you.

It's actually quite easy to tell when they're lying.......you can see their lips moving.

[Goldie]

last week the home secertary said figures show that over all crime is down, today figures show that the prison population is at an all time high at 81,000. so who's in prison and what for.

Crime is down 'cos all the criminals are in prison. (If only...) Isn't that how it's supposed to work???

...not that I'd defend a politician.

[Samray]

A good statistician could positively prove the earth is flat.

[Gio]

That's politicians for you.

It's actually quite easy to tell when they're lying.......you can see their lips moving.

How can you see their lips move when they wear pants and trousers?

[D-Rider]

That's politicians for you.

It's actually quite easy to tell when they're lying.......you can see their lips moving.

How can you see their lips move when they wear pants and trousers?

...... and in the case of Ann Widecombe and Margaret Beckett, let's be extremely grateful for that !

[fastasfcuk]

jesus i dont want to even think about that one.

[moletrap]

Back on topic

Stats can prove anything, I know that as it's my job to produce some, so you can safely ignore any that politicians use.

The prison population is rising because the hang 'em and flog 'em brigade led by the Daily Mail decide they want everyone in prison at vast expense rather than being given community-based sentences and fines. That then leads to more complaints about how much more tax we're paying. Spot the link!

[Samray]

I'm glad I worded my post the way I did, and didn't just say all statisticians are ****s.

[D-Rider]

Absolutely right Moletrap.

There's also a big lag in the system - Crime happens - Time goes by - Cops catch the baddy (maybe) - Time goes by - Legal process begins - Time goes by - Legal process continues - Time goes by - Prison sentence begins - A lot of Time goes by while prisoner is trained in the art of many more crimes by the community of experts with whom he/she is living - "reformed character" is released.

So even IF crime is falling, we've still got prisons stuffed full of people from the time it was not as low as it is now.

I really fail to understand the theory behind long sentences either (apart from those people from which we need to protect society - and they should only be released when it's deemed safe)
Were I to be deprived of my family and liberty for a matter of weeks, that would have a big impact - even moreso for a number of months.
But 10 years - what's the point? by the end of the first year I'd have got used to it - does it really make any difference whether I've got 8 years left or 12 years?
Surely we'd be better off saving some of the money we use to lock people up for these meaningless years and using it to more effectively sort them out while they are there for a shorter period. Now I'm no expert in reforming offenders so I'll not suggest what can be done but with the money saved from additional years of imprisonment, I'm fairly sure that something should be possible that would have some overall effect (and of course it would not reform every individual).

[Aladinsaneuk]

personally, I am somewhere to the right of attila the hun

make people work on community service - painting bus shelters, picking up litter etc - and yes, that would mean chain gangs

if we do put people in prison, it should be a prison, not a holiday flat with TV etc - balls to that

and while incarcerated, make the buggers work there as well - sorting recycling stuff springs to mind as a viable thing

I also think we should name and shame local offenders - big picture, name and crime - in every town centre

and if any namby pamby liberal spouts off about human rights, they waived those rights when they turned to crime

[Samray]

"and if any namby pamby liberal spouts off about human rights" ... lock them up too.

[D-Rider]

Don't ignore human rights

[Falcoholic]

Try committing a major financial fraud and I bet you get locked up for longer than rapist, burglar, murderer etc.

Put me in charge I'd soon show em.

Burn em all I would.

[Falcoholic]

Don't ignore human rights

Commit a crime you know will get you time then surely you give up your human rights??

No??

Burn em. All of em....