tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post8452593336694891690..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: A Victims's Rights Are Superior to Those of a PrisonerIain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-45345453427894142172009-10-23T16:08:16.315+01:002009-10-23T16:08:16.315+01:00Victims should never be consulted on the punishmen...Victims should never be consulted on the punishment or release of criminals. We have an impartial judicial system so that the crime (or criminal) can be viewed dispassionately and justice or mercy meted out appropriately. Anything else approaches mob justice.March Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13116034158087704885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-48819266128107498372009-10-14T22:46:30.162+01:002009-10-14T22:46:30.162+01:00As usual the lefty liberals who are the first to c...As usual the lefty liberals who are the first to cry for scum, until they are the victim of course, get mixed up with the concepts of vengeance, punishment, debt and victimisation.Houdinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02299827686189026014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-38043797706177008522009-10-14T20:50:04.864+01:002009-10-14T20:50:04.864+01:00AP @ 9:51
Get real.
Proper criminals, caught lyi...AP @ 9:51<br /><br />Get real.<br /><br />Proper criminals, caught lying & troughing thousands of pounds get 'asked' to apologise, don't get forced to repay their ill-gotton gains, keep their job. And, have the prospect of an automatic peerage.<br /><br />Who say the British aren't compassionate?Joe Publicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-35410188930241255392009-10-14T20:41:45.648+01:002009-10-14T20:41:45.648+01:00Supersede is the most commonly mis-spelt word in t...Supersede is the most commonly mis-spelt word in the English language. Getting it wrong is just criminal. Lock'im up, I say!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-42951032693465801192009-10-14T15:56:23.668+01:002009-10-14T15:56:23.668+01:00Umm. Interesting.
What about victimless crimes? ...Umm. Interesting. <br /><br />What about victimless crimes? <br /><br />What happens when you speed? Whom should we speak to when considering a penalty?<br /><br />What about if you like humping horses? Or the dead? Both criminal offences.Richard Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02021997075923737760noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-88163720768132720952009-10-14T15:55:20.513+01:002009-10-14T15:55:20.513+01:00Roger, in fact I'll go one better than that. I...Roger, in fact I'll go one better than that. I'm in Bracknell all day tomorrow and all evening. I'd be happy to come and talk to you face to face about this. Can't say fairer than that, can I?Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-84470950208434717332009-10-14T15:52:57.588+01:002009-10-14T15:52:57.588+01:00Just as a point of info, I recorded about 10 minut...Just as a point of info, I recorded about 10 minutes of responses to this. I make no complaint about the answers they chose to include, but I spoke a lot about related issues on sentencing and the fact that I would certainly allow prisoners convicted of non violent crimes out early in certain circumstances. They may have chosen the most red blooded answer (but it is not a rant, as some have suggested)<br /><br />Roger Dodger: Victims have a right to be consulted in certain circumstances already on sentencing issues. Believe it or not I do not consult a Tory policy handbook before doing TV interviews (if such a thing exists). I speak for myself. I never said that victims have a right to decide. I said the victim had a right to have a say. That is very different to what you suggest. Are you saying that victims don't deserve any voice? If so, there can be no meeting of minds.<br /><br />I am not a gut right winger in the issue of prisons and sentencing. If you look back on my blog you will see examples of me arguing that we should send fewer people to prison, as nowadays the wrong people end up there. We should concentrate far more on rehabilitation than we do. I even spoke at a fringe meeting at the conference this year putting forward that case. <br /><br />So if you want to judge me on a 20 second section of a ten minute interview, that's your right. I don't regret saying what I said at all, but if you want to know more about my views in this area you might want to ask me some further questions.<br /><br />Feel free to email me.Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-38728860934212097822009-10-14T15:41:20.826+01:002009-10-14T15:41:20.826+01:00I think that's crap, Iain. A victim may have t...I think that's crap, Iain. A victim may have the right to be protected from crime but they can't be given any rights over sentencing. If two identical crimes are committed, do we allow two different parole policies to be pursued dependant on each victim's ability to forgive and forget?<br /><br />Sounds like you're looking for the Sun vote in your primary, Iain.Steve Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15992098012803570361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-12006212452428268852009-10-14T14:57:44.246+01:002009-10-14T14:57:44.246+01:00For those who talk about civilised society forgivi...For those who talk about civilised society forgiving prisoners - wake up and get with the real world!<br /><br />Half the crimes in this country are committed by felons released early by the very same "civilised society".<br /><br />So a prisoner dies in gaol. Big bloody deal. He/she is there because they have committed a crime against the very civilised society they expect forgivness from. By dying in gaol they are at least doing civilised society a great service.<br /><br />The more that cark it behind bars the better.Kcilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08804564584929975056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-84090727021520236052009-10-14T14:29:33.369+01:002009-10-14T14:29:33.369+01:00You can just hear the Daily Mail comments section ...You can just hear the Daily Mail comments section roaring with approval.<br /><br />God bless the new 'caring' Conservativesjohn bloxhamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1500477246384196962009-10-14T13:52:22.165+01:002009-10-14T13:52:22.165+01:00There has never been justice in law. Ask any lawy...There has never been justice in law. Ask any lawyer and any victim.<br /><br />And let me tell you that all these 'liberals' who see 'justice' only pertaining to the criminals and not to their victims change their tune right smartish when they become the victim.Rachelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-88037193330467035182009-10-14T13:51:10.703+01:002009-10-14T13:51:10.703+01:00Jafo.
Your analysis is about as skin deep and kne...Jafo.<br /><br />Your analysis is about as skin deep and knee-jerk as Iain's.<br /><br />The victim is part of society.<br /><br />If you agree with Iain that in the case of violent offenders the victim has the 'right' to decide on their release then you have to answer the same questions.<br /><br />This is not only nonsense but a radical shift from the legal principles of this country. Sounds more like something from Afghanistan.<br /><br />I would like to know where the man I am considering voting for as my MP got the idea for this. I would like it explained further. Where is the rest of the party on this? How long has this been your view Iain.<br /><br />Please give an answer to this because (at the risk of being repetative) this is make or break for me.<br /><br />Either Iain Dale is a breath of fresh air, a new approach etc. Or he just says what ever sounds good on rubbish TV shows.<br /><br />I need to know before Saturday or Rory Stewart is getting my vote.Roger Dodgernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-76179236954580229662009-10-14T11:49:47.287+01:002009-10-14T11:49:47.287+01:00My comment is not about Iain's views on this p...My comment is not about Iain's views on this particular case but is of a more general nature.<br /><br />What I wonder is, where in the so-called Justice system does the victim actually come? Many posters here have said the victim is merely a witness in the case! "Merely a WITNESS?" Clearly compassion seems to have gone walkies with that type of comment. Even more clearly, they haven't been the victims of crime.<br /><br />Surely the Justice system is supposed to render justice on behalf of the victim and society - to point out that in a civilised society certain behaviour cannot be allowed, for the benefit of us all. Isn't the deal that we give up our right to exact personal justice in return for the State doing it for us.<br /><br />If the State doesn't do that, isn't it saying that the victim doesn't matter, isn't very important, doesn't matter if they've been robbed, assaulted, raped, murdered. <br /><br />Is that the message of a civilised society?jafonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-80483757986445986082009-10-14T10:35:01.998+01:002009-10-14T10:35:01.998+01:00OK, so at what point is Justice considered done? ...OK, so at what point is Justice considered done? At the point of sentencing or when the victim feels that it is? <br /><br />What happens when Victim A takes a different view to Victim B?<br /><br />Nobody, but nobody, has a 'right' to compassion, do they? Compassion (or Mercy, in old fashioned terms) is something which is/should be exercised on an individual basis, having regard to the circumstances. <br /><br />The problem for victims is that if they are to be consulted over release they are condemned to serve the same length of sentence as the convicted.Unsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08307116169498533047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-67563069269666805302009-10-14T10:23:05.783+01:002009-10-14T10:23:05.783+01:00Do you really believe that someone who commits a c...Do you really believe that someone who commits a crime against a victim who is saintly and forgiving should get a lesser punishment that someone whose victim isn't prepared to turn the other cheek?simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15333603569294208240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-58063263196228494532009-10-14T09:14:13.370+01:002009-10-14T09:14:13.370+01:00Well said Iain.
Oh, all those people who deride t...Well said Iain.<br /><br />Oh, all those people who deride this as populism should think; populism is the word used to describe democracy by those (frequently trendy "socialist")whingers who disagree with the majority.Too Right!noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-37105303659408709602009-10-14T09:00:54.146+01:002009-10-14T09:00:54.146+01:00Come on Iain. This new 'right'. Is this To...Come on Iain. This new 'right'. Is this Tory party policy?<br /><br />Please answer the question. Which legal school of thought did you get it from or is this a right you have invented yourself?<br /><br />Surely this is the work of a serious legal theorist?<br /><br />I'm a fan Iain but this appearance on that oasis of class, The One Show, has suddenly made me stop in my tracks.<br /><br />I would suggest getting an answer ready now because I will ask it on Saturday if I can.<br /><br />This is pretty damn disappointing. Thought you were different to the type that make up policy on the hoof to impress on an entertainment show.Roger Dodgernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-7730477419050243902009-10-14T07:51:12.295+01:002009-10-14T07:51:12.295+01:00Manfarang, I haven't ever visited a prison.
Y...Manfarang, I haven't ever visited a prison.<br /><br />Yes, I have read all 3 volumes. And they are absolutely excellent, as I have written on this blog before.Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-67256880870985185562009-10-14T05:43:24.317+01:002009-10-14T05:43:24.317+01:00Which prisons have you seen the inside of,Iain?
Ha...Which prisons have you seen the inside of,Iain?<br />Have you read Jeffrey Archer's books about the time he was in jail?Manfaranghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16672026288937285646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-24140790147864421982009-10-14T05:30:44.153+01:002009-10-14T05:30:44.153+01:00I see the Beeb allowed the odious Clive Stafford-S...I see the Beeb allowed the odious Clive Stafford-Smith some more free publicity again on this show...<br /><br /><i>"It's not about whether the prisoner deserves compassionate release Iain, it's about whether we are civilised enough to grant it where no purpose (other than vengeance) is served by the prisoner remaining incarcerated."</i> <br /><br />What's so civilised about forgetting our debt to the victim, on whose behalf we are administering justice?<br /><br /><i>"The problem, it seems to me, is the 'take over' of the criminal justice system by a load of do-gooder liberals who tend to live in areas away from the sink estates where most serious and violent criminal activity either takes place or originates from."</i><br /> <br />Exactly! Remove this from the system and there'd be no need for the victims to have their say.JuliaMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07844126589712842477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-44652939979031959962009-10-14T02:45:56.835+01:002009-10-14T02:45:56.835+01:00Criminal law is about the wrong to the state - and...Criminal law is about the wrong to the state - and not about the wrong to the victim. <br /><br />These "victim impact statements" are over-emotional and, quite frankly, American.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10554695647863762819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-63035503099977408202009-10-14T01:30:28.516+01:002009-10-14T01:30:28.516+01:00"Does he deserve the right to compassion? I a..."Does he deserve the right to compassion? I argue not. In my view the victim has a right to be consulted over any early release"<br /><br />I think you've answered a different question though. "Consultation" could mean a variety of things. Are you saying that the victim's right to consultation over early (compassionate) release should in effect be a veto?<br /><br />If you extend this to more regular early releases then aren't you creating a system where the penalty is not based on the crime committed but on the vengefulness of the victim. <br /><br />How do you then resolve this where there is more than one victim and they disagree. IIRC in the Anthony Walker case his parents called for his murderers to be shown mercy whilst his girlfriend held the opposite view.<br /><br />That said the current system of automatic early release is nonsensical. If a convicted offender will serve 18 months in prison and then 18 months on licence then that should be the sentence handed down in court. <br /><br />There should be a provision for early release to be earned based on good behaviour in prison and co-operation with education/offender management/drug addiction treatement etc.Hywelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16094171587140185827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-74728267367390627502009-10-14T00:19:32.160+01:002009-10-14T00:19:32.160+01:00Of course the victim should have a say. If it is t...Of course the victim should have a say. If it is the state that decides then the state should fully compensate the victim for the hurt caused. The state acts on behalf of its citizens and unless laws are enforced and punishments exacted fully then the victims are betrayed. <br /><br />Death happens to 100% of people and in this case, since the diagnosis is lung cancer it is likely to have been self inflicted. The human rights lawyer who equated it with the death penalty is delivering faulty logic. The penalty is imprisonment - if the prisoner is unable to do the five years he must do as much of it as his life allows.<br /><br />Compassion does not come into it. If you can't do the time, don't do the crime. The heavy sentence wasn't just for burglary as the lawyer suggested but for the assault on the old lady as well.<br /><br />His mother may be innocent, but the loss that she incurs was delivered by her son not the state.<br /><br />There are millions dying in much worse conditions around the world than exist in a British prison. If your compassion is overflowing, show some for them.<br /><br />Today's secular humanism believes that mankind is basically good. Nonsense, you have to teach a child to be good; evil comes naturally.Terry Hamblinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06346629921055055879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-4206289556209968942009-10-14T00:10:02.253+01:002009-10-14T00:10:02.253+01:00On a practical level its very difficult (and expe...On a practical level its very difficult (and expensive) to give a prisoner the best possible treatment if they are in prison, and I think most people would agree that they should be treated properly. <br /><br />Having as a cancer doctor been in the position of having to decide whether or not to recommend a prisoner should be released, my general view is that if they have a terminal illness I would always make the case (medically) that they would be better looked after at home. <br /><br />I believe that it is right that that submission should be considered in the light of the severity of the crime. I can tell you that release is by no means guaranteed.<br /><br />Although the victim's views can (and probably should) be taken into account they should not necessarily be the deciding factor for the reasons others have discussed aboveHFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09082432624081978028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-57673199052435434442009-10-14T00:02:29.544+01:002009-10-14T00:02:29.544+01:00"A Victims's Rights Are Superior to Those..."A Victims's Rights Are Superior to Those of a Prisoner"<br />3 parts of justice Ian<br /><br />crime<br />punishment<br />rehabilitation<br /><br />it`s not for us to rant, but the grace of god. We have hundreds of years worth of good laws, it`s just that we lost the rope somewhere lolblemsterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18041659320176075078noreply@blogger.com