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Is forgiveness the best sentence for thieves?

3/26/2015

6 Comments

 
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A serial thief who admitted carrying out more than 200 burglaries has been spared jail and been told go on a victim empathy course. He stole household goods to fund his addiction to alcohol and gambling.

Despite the angry householders demanding he should not be let off, the judge said that he was sparing the jail sentence to launch him on a rehabilitation program called Choices and Consequences, commonly known as the C2 program, which no criminal has ever turned down.

The offender would be tagged for 36 months, be under curfew between 9pm and 6am and must complete 200 hours of unpaid work. Aside from that, he would attend the victim empathy course as well as alcohol and gambling intervention programs.

The Hertfordshire (that's where I live) C2 incentive is aimed at turning around the lives of prolific offenders to offer them a realistic opportunity to break free from the cycle of crime. The sentence reminds me of a heaven where we face our crimes and atone for our sins. Criminals who agree to take part in the program must obey the law for four years after which it is signed off. If they breach any of the rules in that time period, they are hauled back to court and jailed for their previous convictions.

It would be hard to break the cycle of offending. Many may have committed hundreds of crimes and have been in prison on a number of occasions. A criminal record makes it hard to find employment. They may be poorly educated and have limited social skills. Trapped in a cycle, they could face little option but to commit crime to make a living. It is hoped the sympathetic program will benefit local communities in the longer term. Source: Telegraph.

Here in our area, we belong to the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme. A message service notifies us of local crime and gives advice on how to avoid it. Yesterday, I heard about power tool theft from vehicles. I noted a sign on the back of a parked van up the road which said, 'All tools removed.'

What are your views on treatment for burglars?





6 Comments
Carol Cassara link
3/25/2015 09:28:27 pm

What we've been doing isn't working,so I am up for trying new things.

Reply
Diane link
3/25/2015 10:22:03 pm

I am not against punishment, but this system might work better for the non-violent offenders who might respond to rehabilitation. I hope those that are involved will appreciate the second chance. Thanks for sharing! #ultrablog

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Tami Principe link
3/25/2015 10:59:40 pm

It sounds like a good program for first time offenders. I hope it has much success. It is perfect for the non-violent offenders as previously stated. Utilizing our resources is one of the best things to deter someone for further offenses.

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Alana link
3/26/2015 12:07:18 am

Burglary is not a victimless crime. I can tell you,from experience, that it is like a personal violation. On the other hand, I have the example of a co workers son whose life was turned around by a New York "bootcamp for nonviolent offenders" program. So if this program did work, it would be a good thing.

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Precious Ropafadzo Chiduku link
3/26/2015 12:32:49 am

This sounds like a brilliant idea, and I believe it will only work for first time offenders; no one else. Even with first time offenders, if they remain uneducated, it will not help and if they can't find unemployment, it still will not help. In this specific case, the offender has two addicitions and it's safe to say he might actually be addicted to stealing....

On the other hand, I feel anyone with the mentality that they can take other people's belongings without asking and use them for themselves is a danger to society. No matter how desperate one's life is, or how uneducated one is...there are millions working for hours and days everyday to earn a dollar just to buy one loaf of bread for one night.

Anyone who offends others, in anyway, deserves to be put away for sometime

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Jess Donegan link
3/26/2015 09:38:52 pm

I love the idea. Part of my sympathizes with the victims. At first glance this punishment doesn't seem particularly harsh, but then I think we need to change our views on criminals. Are we just trying to keep them out of standard society or are we actually trying to show them how best to fit in?

If the goal is to rehabilitate criminals, then we need more programs that show forgiveness, empathy, and teach the criminal a useful skill.

If we just want to separate ourselves, we're gonna need a lot more jails and a lot more funding.

I hope the protect yields positive results and I hope it's something we'll see one day here in the states.

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    Francene Stanley
    From England, I use news items in my novels which you can see below, all linked to an Amazon near you.

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