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Saturday, 6th September 2008

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Lack of judgment



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A prisoner, John Cartledge, who overstayed his week's home leave from Castle Huntly open prison by just over 24 hours then gave himself up has had six months added to his sentence (your report, 19 July). I am usually in favour of more severe sentences for offenders, but this time I think the judge came down heavily on the wrong side.
It's not the prisoner who should bear the bulk of the blame but the officials who decided he should be allowed to continue in the open prison after a previous bid for freedom, then gave him a week's home leave.

There appears to be a need for more citizens of common sense to make sound judgments about which prisoners can be trusted to serve their sentences in open prisons and be permitted unaccompanied excursions out-side and visits home.

The bunch who presently perform that function seem to be serially liable to serious and potentially dangerous gaffes.

GEORGE K McMILLAN
Mount Tabor Avenue
Perth



The full article contains 168 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 22 July 2008 8:42 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

Jill Ferguson,

Glasgow 23/07/2008 16:12:52

The problem here lies with the often outdated views of our criminal judges / magistrates, combined with many of them being far more mature in their years.

There should be a much stricter protocol on sentencing for them to follow accross the board, combined with tests of judges health, competancy and fitness to practice. I feel the strain on the criminal justice system, rushing cases through the courts prevents this much needed assessment of judges to take place.

a six - month punishment for overstaying their weeks home leave seems pretty steep, and excessive.

It is just unfortunate the decisions of the judge over a course of time cannot be reviewed, or assessed more reguarly if they are deemed to be of a more mature generation.

With prison overcrowding, the revolving door process for repeat offenders, and proof that for some prison is clearly no deterrant - especially if it provides protection from criminals on the outside.

Clearly we need to intervene far earlier to prevent youngsters from being sucked into the criminal fraternity of gangs.

The alternatives of apprenticeships, tailored college courses for those with identified special needs, or even voluntary work must be funded far more readily.

Also, the need to highlight those at risk from general parental neglect, or negative influences from parents & family members abuse of alcohol / drugs far sooner is the key to prevention being better than cure.

 

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