Web Forum: Life of Reilly
Nov 17 2009 by Andrew Jackson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner
MUCH anger was being vented on the Examiner forum – it is a great way to let off steam so come and join us!
Cornishman was fuming: “Convicted killer, jailed ‘indefinitely’ in 2007 has escaped while on a shopping trip.
“Doesn’t that illustrate how messed-up and completely wrong this country has become under New Labour?
“Why on earth is a convicted killer on a shopping trip? Why are our families allowed to be exposed to people like this?
“It is wrong, wrong, wrong.
“Many criminals do not reform when you take a liberal approach to punishment and sentencing. They see it as weakness and exploit it. I really do despair.”
Otis agreed: “I am sure many of us share your anger at this and other similar cases which seemingly happen on almost a daily basis. I fully agree with your comments on liberal punishments and the weakness it shows.
“The decline in law and order began long before Labour took office. Just as with the immigration problems, successive governments have chosen to ignore public concerns on crime and punishment.”
Dave50 also shared their views: “You are right Cornishman.
“Punishment should be just that – harsh and painful. Never mind rehabilitation, that’s bottom of the list.
“Prison should be places where criminals should absolutely dread going and fear. That would be a deterrent in itself.”
despondent called for harsher punishments: “I fully agree with disposing of the cushy lifestyle given to offenders, failing totally to reason why they are let out to do a bit of shopping – it’s time the ultimate deterrent was reinstated.”
Cornishman added: “As someone who spent many years living on a very tough estate with the highest crime rate in the country, I know that some offenders respond to being offered a view of a better life and being provided with opportunities to change direction.
“However, there are many others who see kindness when they have offended as a weakness to be ridiculed and exploited.
“I have friends in the police who tell me that they regularly come across people who will not respond to anything other than harsh punishments.
“We should start to break these cycles in a more efficient and effective manner.”
