Reply to: Footballer drunk-driver jailed for killing

[zara_backdog]

Shame it couldn't have been longer - 7 years for killing two young children!

He will proably be out in half that - like other posters have pointed out, it was the same for former Albion footballer Lee Hughes serving three years of a six year sentence for killing a father-of-four in a car crash.

I just hope he gets something really nasty happen to him whilst he is in there. However, more then likely he will get the job of coaching the prison football team.

[AtW]

Could you quote the case and circumstances for that?

http://ve3tro.com/1464/ian-huntley-p...rming-himself/

"…taxpayers have picked up the bill to put a £179 Nintendo Wii console in Huntley’s cell in Co Durham.

And warders will join him in games which require players to replicate real-life actions in sports like tennis, golf and fishing. A jail source said: “Huntley has been asking for a Wii for months.

“When he moved to Frankland in February he was given a Nintendo Game Cube - but after only a few weeks he began complaing it was out of date.

“Management are desperate to stop him going though with threats he’s made to kill himself and by giving him a Wii they believe they can take his mind away from harming himself in any way."

I am sure he had PlayStation before but can't be arsed to look for reference, are you happy with him having Game Cube before and now getting Wii?

Harsh conditions in UK jails indeed.

I have spent time in a prison and believe me, even with games consoles, HDTV and any other luxury item you can think of, I would rather be outside looking in.

Sure, but it does not mean that current conditions in jail are not too lax - too few people go to jail due to lack of places, some burglars and thiefs with well above 10 (!) convictions don't get jailed, since many of them are junkies they continue criminal activities as they need money to buy drugs.

[The Lone Gunman]

Indeed. PlayStations for child murderes (as otherwise their human rights are infringed). Maybe that's civilised, but it is certainly not harsh.

Could you quote the case and circumstances for that?

More to the point - I am afraid I don't accept your view that sentence reductions are not nearly automatic - getting out after serving half a term is almost automatic, and reduction in sentence when pleading guilty is actually in written guidance so it is as automatic as it gets.

I didn't say sentence reductions were not automatic (though I think judges have some discretion) I said that reduction in term for good behaviour was far from automatic.

I have spent time in a prison and believe me, even with games consoles, HDTV and any other luxury item you can think of, I would rather be outside looking in.

[AtW]

Yes but we are a civilized country

Indeed. PlayStations for child murderes (as otherwise their human rights are infringed). Maybe that's civilised, but it is certainly not harsh.

More to the point - I am afraid I don't accept your view that sentence reductions are not nearly automatic - getting out after serving half a term is almost automatic, and reduction in sentence when pleading guilty is actually in written guidance so it is as automatic as it gets.

[The Lone Gunman]

I actually do have an idea what is it to have harsh conditions in prison. That's when you have 50 people in a small cell that have to share beds 3 each - sleep in turns. That's when illnesses are rife there and anyone who won't get raped or beaten up to death can be considered lucky: all that while awaiting trial for 3-4 years.

Now that's pretty harsh.

Yes but we are a civilized country, though rapes and beatings are rife (particularly for nonces).

[AtW]

Like I said, you have no idea.

I actually do have an idea what is it to have harsh conditions in prison. That's when you have 50 people in a small cell that have to share beds 3 each - sleep in turns. That's when illnesses are rife there and anyone who won't get raped or beaten up to death can be considered lucky: all that while awaiting trial for 3-4 years.

Now that's pretty harsh.

[PRC1964]

The loss of liberty is the punishment. The earning of privileges is what keeps the prison service running. Without anything to strive for we would need a massively increased prison officer presence to prevent rioting.

[The Lone Gunman]

My Gawd, that's harsh prison, child murderers actually have to earn bonus PlayStation, I was beginning to think UK prisons were too soft on them...

Like I said, you have no idea.

[AtW]

If they have a playstation it is an earned bonus not by right.

My Gawd, that's harsh prison, child murderers actually have to earn bonus PlayStation, I was beginning to think UK prisons were too soft on them...

[The Lone Gunman]

Apparently child murderers are allowed to have PlayStations there.

You have no idea how it works or why have you?
If they have a playstation it is an earned bonus not by right.

[AtW]

Prison is a harsh regime

Apparently child murderers are allowed to have PlayStations there.

[The Lone Gunman]

Whilst in prison it is almost automatic that they get out after serving half term (unless they cause big trouble) - that's also based on guidance which is influenced by the fact that there are little prison spaces available and Nu Liebor does not want to spent money on building new prisons (cheaper to issue guidance).

If my information about how justice system works in the UK is incorrect then please disprove it without calling names (that shows you got no valid arguement).

There is nothing automatic about this reduction. Prison is a harsh regime and inmates have to play by the rules. The reduction is for their good behaviour and it has to be earned.

Have you ever been inside a prison?
Have you witnessed a governors court?
Have you been asked to offer opinion on what a suitable punishment for an inmate would be?

[AtW]

TwAttY: Stop spouting about things you have no clue on.
There is nothing automatic about a prisoners reduced sentence.
Judges know about reductions and sentence accordingly.

If the accused enters Guilty plea this will automatically reduce sentence, apparently the guidance is 1/3 of the term.

Whilst in prison it is almost automatic that they get out after serving half term (unless they cause big trouble) - that's also based on guidance which is influenced by the fact that there are little prison spaces available and Nu Liebor does not want to spent money on building new prisons (cheaper to issue guidance).

If my information about how justice system works in the UK is incorrect then please disprove it without calling names (that shows you got no valid arguement).

[The Lone Gunman]

No I think it comes down to cost. I think the distress to victims would be higher if they knew that the person who, for example, stabbed their relative and who was clearly seen of CCTV doing it would be out in half the time simply because they admitted doing it - in a case where his guilt was never in doubt.

If he is bang to rights he will plead not guilty and drag the case out as there is no incentive to plead guilty.

TwAttY: Stop spouting about things you have no clue on.
There is nothing automatic about a prisoners reduced sentence.
Judges know about reductions and sentence accordingly.

Not always correctly in my opinion, but they do take remission into consideration.

[BoredBloke]

Cost of the court case, distress to the victims and actual remorse for their actions are the usual reasons. Probably valid.

No I think it comes down to cost. I think the distress to victims would be higher if they knew that the person who, for example, stabbed their relative and who was clearly seen of CCTV doing it would be out in half the time simply because they admitted doing it - in a case where his guilt was never in doubt.