(UK) Prisons minister says criminals could cut jail sentences by saying 'sorry'

[alp227]

Source: The Observer

Tens of thousands of offenders may be able to reduce their sentences by making personal apologies to their victims, under plans for a "rehabilitation revolution" in the criminal justice system.

Crispin Blunt, the prisons minister, is considering the move as part of a drive to offer victims the chance to come face-to-face with the person who committed the crime against them. A report released today by two charities, Victim Support and the Restorative Justice Consortium, suggests the policy could save £185m in two years by cutting reoffending.

The minister has also declared his support for a form of "community payback" where money that is earned by criminals, either in prison or during alternative forms of punishment, is diverted to the victims of crime as a form of "community payback".

The Ministry of Justice has also drawn up plans to take thousands of prisoners who are mentally ill or addicted to drugs out of prison and place them in secure treatment centres. Around 13,000 people are in UK prisons for drugs offences. According to the probation union, Napo, a further 5,000 men and 500 women in the system have psychotic disorders.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/jul/25/criminals-should-say-sorry

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Will this really be a good strategy to relieve prison overcrowding? For some offenders yes, but you never know if some offenders don't live up to their apologies.

[Rhiannon12866]

1. Last night's Larry King was about rehabilitation in prisons...

Yeah, I know, but MSNBC closes up shop at 10pm on Fridays... :banghead:

One guest he had was a female psychologist who said that one of the main problems is that prison life replicates the kind of life that got these people into trouble in the first place, gangs, etc. Her suggestion was that prisons should be run more like monasteries, quiet contemplation and self exploration. I didn't agree with a lot of what she said, but I thought that she had something with this... :shrug:

[Posteritatis]

2. Restorative justice tends to work well, so I can get behind something like that

It's a hell of a lot more than just the offenders apologizing to their victims, even if people who dislike or are unfamiliar with the concept like to claim that's all it is.

[proteus_lives]

3. That's hilarious.

Yeah, because criminals are renowned for telling the truth.

"Hey old chap, sorry about raping and killing your daughter. Pip-pip, say no more."

:rofl:

[boppers]

4. The victims have a say in whether or not it's sincere.

Seems to also cut recidivism, which would be nice.

[proteus_lives]

5. I could see it working for junkies if they got clean.

And for non-violent offenders.

But rapists, murderers and the like? No way.

[boppers]

6. "robbery, violence and burglary" is what the article indicates eom

[proteus_lives]

7. That's not a good idea.

Most of the time violent offenders deserve to do every second of their time, even it's lax-ass European time.

[boppers]

9. Punch some guy in a bar argument over a footsie game vs. stabbing them...

I'd assume there's some range of discretion.

[proteus_lives]

10. Yeah. That's why I said "most".

There is a difference between punching a dude in the bar vs. stabbing a guy in the bar.

The puncher should have his record considered and treated accordingly.

The stabber? Lock-up. If you're willing to stab someone over a football game, you don't belong in public.

[Anakin Skywalker]

8. Will the English Finally Say "Sorry" to the Scots, Irish, Welsh, etc.? (Picts?)

Just sayin'..... :)

[dipsydoodle]

11. Hopefully

he's fucking joking.