Knife crime teenagers to face mandatory jail sentences - UK

[dipsydoodle]

Source: The Guardian

A mandatory minimum four-month prison sentence for 16- and 17-year-olds who are found guilty of "aggravated" knife offences is to be introduced despite the open opposition of the justice secretary, Kenneth Clarke.

A new "two strikes and you're out" mandatory life sentence is also to be introduced for anyone convicted of a second serious sexual or violent crime – extending mandatory life sentences for the first time to cover crimes other than murder.

The definition of the "most serious sexual or violent offences" that will be covered by the new "two strikes" policy is to be extended to child sex offences, terrorism categories and "causing or allowing the death of a child".

The surprise announcement of this new sentencing regime marks a return to a more traditional "lock 'em up" approach to law and order by the coalition government and deals a further body blow to Clarke's hopes of a more liberal penal policy that would stabilise the prison population.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/oct/26/kenneth-clarke-jail-sentences-knife-crime

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Mandatory life sentence is also to be introduced for anyone convicted of a second serious sexual or violent crime - that takes it out of the hands of judges.

[Xithras]

1. I don't really have a problem with that.

If you go out with a knife and rape someone, I can see giving someone a second chance after they've served some time and reformed.

Buf if a guy gets out, grabs a knife again, and rapes someone at knifepoint a second time, it's probably safe to assume that they're not interested in changing their ways. That person is simply a predator. Lock them away for the good of society.

[dipsydoodle]

2. You seem to have joined up knife crime and rape

Separate issues which are connected only on occasions. This refers to any violent crime.