Parole

[klunderbunker]

Many times with a crime, people are put on parole after a certain amount of their sentence has been served. To me, this is an awful idea. When a person is convicted of a crime, they should serve the full extent of the sentence that the law designates they should. All this talk about time off for good behavior is bogus to me. You're in prison. Shouldn't that mean that you are suppsoed to have good behavior? If that's the case, let's just let them off for saying they won't do it ever again, and that they promise. If a person is convicted of a crime, be it violent or not, they should be in jail the whole time. Sure they have to go to a parole officer, but who says they can't lie to that person? They're better off behind bars, rather than freely roaming the streets.

 

[Sparky]

Many times with a crime, people are put on parole after a certain amount of their sentence has been served. To me, this is an awful idea.

I disagree Klunder. I think it is a good idea depending on the circumstances.

When a person is convicted of a crime, they should serve the full extent of the sentence that the law designates they should.

But for Crimes like Speeding, Drink Driving, Assualt ( to a certian level) its a good idea, becouse some times it dont even warrent prison time, so if they can get let off on good behaviour then why not?

All this talk about time off for good behavior is bogus to me. You're in prison. Shouldn't that mean that you are suppsoed to have good behavior?

Yes it does, but some go in and keep their nose completley clean. not fuck around and do shit, just go in stick to yourself. that is good behaviour. if there is A massive riot where everybody except one is involved then he deserves some kind of reward.

If that's the case, let's just let them off for saying they won't do it ever again, and that they promise. If a person is convicted of a crime, be it violent or not, they should be in jail the whole time.

they have to check in with somebody frequently. that means no holidays or anything. and if you miss one check up your back in.

Sure they have to go to a parole officer, but who says they can't lie to that person? They're better off behind bars, rather than freely roaming the streets.

but to be put on parole you have to go through a shit load of tests and crap before they even think of letting you go. What if you got sent to jail for ripping the government off by not declaring that yoiur living with somebody and you have four kids? your saying that if she can get out on parole in two years its wrong?

 

[klunderbunker]

Depending on the circumstances is a good point. Another factor is that there are crimes for which a person going to jail is completely ridiculous, but that's another thread for another time.

Crimes like speeding shouldn't result in being put in jail. Removal of license would be better. Now if you repeat the offense and drive with no license at all, then you should be thrown in jail. For drunk driving, absolutely no way would I want them out on the streets. Yes it was a mistake, but it was a big one. You have no control of anything at all, and you are in control of a 2000lb machine going 60 miles an hour? No way. Serve the punishment you're given and be glad it's not worse.

While that's true about good behavior, the problem that I have with it is the same i have with people that brag about not getting in trouble. You don't get arrested, you don't go to jail, you don't start trouble. Good for you, because YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO! When you're in jail, you're not supposed to start trouble in the first place. Why should you be rewarded for doing exactly what you're supposed to do?

Now in the case of a riot or something like you said, you're 100% right. If you do something outside of what everyone else does, you should be rewarded.

As for the lack of holidays and the like, I simply ask you this: What would you prefer? Being in a prison cell where you can't go anywhere, or being free and having to talk to someone on a regular basis?

For crimes like lying on taxes or soemthing like that, then the sentence would be relatively short anyway and I don't know if parole is even an option at all.

 

[HBK-aholic]

There is no 'depending on the circumstances' at all. Ever. The only reason a criminal should be let out before their time is if they're proven to be innocent. If a rapist gets given 15 years, he should serve those 15 years, not be let out after 7 and a half, which most people would be. The legal system is there for a reason, and I don't care how 'good' they've been in prison, they should pay for their crime. The victim probably still remembers what happened to them. They should still be paying for it. They should ONLY be let out when they have served their full amount in jail. No "buts", it's how it should be.

 

[klunderbunker]

When I say depending on the circumstances, I mean that there are crimes that simply shouldn't earn prison stays long enough for parole to even be a factor. Crimes like rape are instant long term, and I mean double digit years. Let's say you put them on parole. What's going to stop them from doing it again, then going back to jail? You know it would be worth it to them. You can use the stupid lines like "they have a problem". Well duh! Of course they do. It's called they like to break the law for their own gratification. People that commit crimes like say, stealing food to prevent starvation shouldn't be in jail. They should work off the debt. Prison leading to parole isn't going to help them. Getting the person a job will. The legal system is there, but it has many flaws.

 

[HBK-aholic]

At risk of going slightly off topic here, you used speeding as an example. Why exactly should someone breaking the law in this way NOT be sent to prison? Because they were lucky no one was trying to cross the road they were on? Because there were no other cars around them? Just imagine for a second if there was, and they crashed into them. Automatically that could mean double-digit years in prison. Just because they were LUCKY there was no one there, doesn't mean they still shouldn't have to serve time in prison.

It's much like carrying a knife can now get you into prison. Good, I say. People who say "It's for my protection" make ME want to own a knife just to kill them with, because it's the stupidest thing in the world. Both of these things have a very good chance of harming someone else, and should be treated as such.

 

[klunderbunker]

They should go to prison for speeding, but not long term. Maybe 2 weeks to a month. I'm honestly not sure how it works in England, but here there are different sentences for people that attempt a crime and actually carry it out. Of course that person was incredibly lucky that they didn't get caught for it, but there should be a difference in the penalty for actually hurting someone and doing something that could hurt someone.

As for the weapons aspect, if you carry a weapon, you should get in trouble for it. Concealed permits be damned. Sure you have a permit to carry it, but so what? People can pass tests with no intention of ever commiting a crime, but that doesn't mean they won't do it. Suppose that person does use it to hurt someone, and teh test they passed to have permission was flawed. Tell the family of the person that was killed that it was just a mistake.

People like that should rot in jail for a long, long time. To let them out for behaving themselves is a joke to me. Wow, you murdered someone, but you haven't done it in a few years, so obviously you won't again. No. Like I said, if you want to let them off the hook early, why have the laws at all?

 

[Tim]

After reading what you've said KB. There aren't any crimes I can think of where you shouldn't go to jail, but for something like speeding it should only be 2 weeks to a month, like you said. But as for parole, I believe that people shouldn't be put on parole. You know you commited a crime, you know what you're facing. And since you know you comitted the crime, why do you deserve to get time off from your prison sentence? So you have good behaviour. Big whoop. Anybody can act that, even if they don't mean it. And they can commit the crime again. get sent back to prison, get on parole, commit more crimes, etc. If anything, parole just worsens the situation, as the criminals know they can be let out earlier than usual, if they act good.

 

[The Undercover Man]

I personally beleive if you get a life sentence it should mean a life sentence, no half measures. I also agree with KB, i don't get the crap about how there going to be a better person when they get let out or if they ask for parole. I understand there are groups in prisons that do help these monsters out and, get them ready for going back into the "real world". But do we really want to live in a society full of people who have been let out becaue of their good behaviour? I'd say no, why did'nt they show this good behaviour earlier instead of showing it now? The prison system makes me laugh alot, its more like a school for infants.

But there is another side, depending on what crime you commit and if you have been found guilty or not. There are plenty of loop holes in the parole systems.