Why do we keep shuffling petty criminals around instead of dealing with the real problem? All this talk of rehabilitation for people who've smashed someone's face in or burgled old ladies is a waste of time and money. They need to know there are consequences.
My proposal is simple. For any violent crime, or repeat offenses of burglary and theft, we need mandatory minimum sentences. None of this "community service" nonsense for kicking doors in. If you've caused harm or made decent people feel unsafe, you lose your freedom for a good stretch. Think 5 years for a serious assault, 3 for repeat burglaries.
And while they're inside, they should actually work. Pay for their keep, learn a trade that's actually useful, not just fiddling about with pottery. It teaches discipline and might actually make them less likely to reoffend when they get out. We need to get tough, for the sake of law-abiding folk.
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Mock the policy. Not the person. Community principles →
The prison system is already bursting, and throwing more people in for longer stretches, even if they are doing some sort of work, will just cost the taxpayer a fortune. It reminds me a bit of how my prize marrow failed to thrive this year; neglect can have unintended consequences, and so can over-intervention.