General Chat

Having read all of the accounts in connection with hanging I would say that there are merits for both sides of the argument save for that of the VICTIM. David Bennett Has avalid point Derek Bentley did not pull the trigger but he was an accomplice and the law held him as reponsible as though both had fired the gun . That is or was the law and should be held up. Juliana Martin also has a valid point.Justice for VICTIMS of the justice system. Together with Grampa Jim I think we have lived long enough to recognise that more than sufficient has been given to law breakers no matter what they were convicted of. In this country through the do gooders brigade we have seen a deterioration in discipline far beyond that which right thinking people have aright to expect. It is the petty sentancing that has brought alarge percentage of the population afraid of leaving their front doors at night. Until the Govt. instead of trading the views of minority groups for votes (does not matter which party is in power ) listens and listens hard there will always be those thugs rapists and murderers who will continue on their way knowing theywill have the right of appeal until the cows come home. Im completely in agreement with Brian withan Eye and Grampa Jim. Why in a society in which so many abuse in one form or another should the remainder have to keep funding the lives of those who don't deserve it. Hanging the innocent in this day and age is virtually impossiblewith DNA. Why not bring back hanging and let those who wish to live alife do so. Thats my opinion for what its worth .I rest . Rupert Bear .

I'm certainly not what you call a do-gooder , but I don't think bringing back hanging will do any good at all

The point has already been missed. Those that offend are punished to the same degree as those they have offended against. That is called an eye for an eye. Rupert.( may be I was brought up in a too caring a society)

I am not for hanging but am for capital punishment e.g. West and Sutcliffe to name but two. Lethal injection/gas chamber. Life should mean that - for their lifetime not 12 - 15 yrs. How many rapists get 3-5 yrs if that and then reoffend? If our punishments were strict enough we would not get so many reoffenders and why since the abolition of the death penalty have murders increased - there is no deterrent. Over the past 20 years or so the spotlight is always on the side of the offender the victim/s get forgotten about. I could go on and on and on. If against the death penaly ask yourself what would be your feelings if you lost a loved one to violent crime. Ann

What are people`s views on LUKE MITCHELL convicted of murdering his girl friend. I think he has a psychiatric problem -he`s so callous, Rosalyn

Maybe we should make it easier for prisoners to commit suicide? Fred West/Harold Shipman did the nation a good deed when they commited suicide!! Should prisoners be made to contribute to their board and lodgings? after all they make the elderly pay for hospital accomodation by the loss of state pension for the duration!! Val

David - where it is indisputable and I did do an e.g. and I did say serving life should mean life. Miscarriages of justice have always occurred but the percentage must be very low compared with reoffenders of a similar crime. There is not sufficient deterrent to prevent crimes occurring in the first place - no matter what crime. There is no respect any more in society in general. A few years ago a young girl was raped in N. Wales I think and the judge made the comment that the boy did not mean to commit rape and he did not think he would do it again and virtually let him off. I believe that in USA - certain states carry the death penalty for rape. It is the most hideous crime and remember it is not just women who are raped. Ann

Methinks"Brian with an Eye" is remembering "Colchester and Shepton Mallet".What a good Idea,Perhaps they should be re-opened (under a Military Regime) and make all Prisons Like them,There would not be many re-offenders then,as the word would go round.As for the "Hair Shirt Brigade" (Do Gooders),Unless they have been the victims of crime,They Should Bl--dy well Shut Up,and let the Criminals be punished as is fitting. Hal.

Hal wonder how today's prisoners would react in Shepton Mallet or similar if they were expected to scrub a floor with a toothbrush?? Ann

I don,t Know,but it would be brilliant to watch,probably be able to sell tickets to the people who have had offences committed against them,watching "Justice" being finally done.Hal.

Boot Camp for a set period? Wonder if that would be of any effect. Am biting my tongue again, Paul. Glenys.

David i cannot believe that there are not any more murders per annum than prior to the abolition of hanging. Then a murder trial was a talking point - now there appears to be a murder somewhere in the UK on a daily basis. Can anyone find the figures? Even Labour admits violent crime is on the increase - which is putting it mildly. I live near a city where up to two years ago there hadn't been a murder for over 25 years - we have had two in two years. Ann

David,Statisticly,Statistics can prove anything,But you have to admit, A good deterant does help,it makes criminals think before going to the extreme.I,m sure if one of your family or friends had been "Murdered" you may well change your mind. Hal.

Just googled 'violent crime figures uk - reports up 11-12% and we are only talking about figures based on the past few months not those of 35 years ago. Statistics are there to be juggled as are forecasts - quotation from many years ago applied (if I could remember it) something to do with damned statistics. Ann

David, my Favorite niece was burnt to death by her Husband,after dousing her with petrol and locking her in a room,her children heard her screaming before she died and they were led to safety,fortunately he also died,otherwise I would have personally killed him. that is my belief.Perhaps an "EYE FOR AN EYE"System should be enforced,and the victims Parents/Relatives should have a say in the punishment meted out.. Hal.

We have lost any way of maintaining discipline and that can only lead to the breakdown of our Society. The Media mocks our Leaders so our children do likewise. The Police are no longer able to administer swift justice to a young troublemaker so our children mock the Law. Teachers have no way of ensuring good behaviour so our children mock their Educaters. Parents can be prosecuted if a child makes a complaint of brutality so our children have no respect for their Parents. And yes, I do say "our" children because we ARE a Society and mutually dependant. I shudder to think what this Country will be like in a hundred years time. Thank God I won't be around to suffer it.

Jim it's not just children who are breaking the law you know.

Hal what a terrible thing for those children to live with for the rest of their lives. Have just googled murder figures uk and strangely enough there is an article related to todays Telegraph - murder figures released by Home Office have doubled in London in during last year alone - murders in London for the past quarter of 04 were 61 compared to 31 for previous year. The average sentence served for murder is 12 years and 9 months. If there was sufficient deterrent in place people would think twice - either Capital Punishment or to serve out the rest of their life behind bars and maybe less families would be left devastated by tragedies such as these. Ann

I think that hanging should be brought back but only used when dna has proved 100% that person is guilty. Today's prison's are like holiday camps as someone else has pointed out they should remove all the luxury items ie; t.v's, gym's. and lock them in their cells let them out for 3 meals a day 15minute break in the morning 1 hour lunch and 15 minute break in the afternoon. If a person is let out early from a first sentence then reoffends with-in a year they should be made to do the full sentence passed for the 2nd offence and made to do what ever time was left from the first sentence. The goverment should bring back borstals and detention centre's the one's near where i used to live were well know for the discipline metered out especially to those who tried to escape.

David, Amen to that,every time I think of her it breaks my heart. Best Wishes,Hal.