Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Don't mention the crime

If 18-24 year olds are responsible for £20 billion pounds of crime annually and 75% of them re-offend, do prison sentences need to be increased? The Barrow Cadbury Commission disagrees.

Using prison sentences is counterproductive and magistrates should avoid imposing custodial sentences until the age of 23.

Young offenders under the age of 23 should not be required to disclose their criminal convictions to potentional employers.

How would either of these measures act as a deterrent?

1 comment:

geokker said...

Clearly custodial sentences for young offenders are counterproductive. Taking into consideration the cost to the tax payer and the probability of recidivism due to the crime soup of prison, it would be best to reward criminals if caught - with a sizable cash sum. The offender may wish to invest the money in a rehabilitative educational program or a degree course in Classics at the OU. The civilizing effect will imbue a calm on the individual's psyche and make reintegration natural. In short, crime should pay.