The punishment system isn't working because there really isn't any serious punishment.
The kids laugh and play the system to their advantage with no real deterrent and it only encourages them to move up the crime ranks from petty stealing and abuse (the middle finger to authority) to threats and violence with weapons to improve their own street credit with all the other crim-kids.

If you don't stop them stealing from shops, next they're stealing cars and running over people.
If you don't stop them from robbing shops next they're running back to attack and kill the owner for daring to stand up to them and defend his livelihood.

We're just going to have to agree to disagree on this one Paul.
I'm happy to embrace some kind of system that balances a constructive path alongside a punishment path.
I'm not being inflexible, I'm just saying that there needs to be a real deterrent and you can only achieve that with real punishment.

If they think they can play the system and win, then the system isn't working and we are not in control.
We're adults, they're kids, find out whatever it is they hate the most, and make them do that.

it is beyond me how people can say something is not working when it hasn't actually been implemented !

Hi AC,

The best one I've come across in recent history, is a employment/apprenticeship based program in the catering industry. The group came to the charity the wife and I volunteer with, about 20 young people, they donated around 200 professionally packaged frozen meals, done in a proper commercial kitchen, they did all the work themselves, they were so proud of what they are achieving. With the group were a couple of mentors who had been there done that, including jail time, rough nuts, who have turned the page themselves, and now they are working with these kids. The boss guy, is tough, I could see that, a no nonsense approach. All I can say is the kids in the program, were terrific, well spoken, polite, responsible, knowledgeable, some in their 4th year. The group is mostly self managed, the Group Leader, a lad about 17, delivered an excellent well presented speech, and there was a great mingle after, that told us why they have an 80%+ success rate, with a holistic approach that starts early and is aimed at the person, built on success through achievement, that covers everything in their lives, accommodation, employment, any help they need. There are other programs in other areas, doing the same sort of thing, but finance is always the problem. This group has 20 involved, given the right backing it could handle a 100, add in other programs that number would be 1,000 at probably a quarter of the cost of the present system. One thing is individuals and businesses are willing to chip in for this kind of thing, but they wont give a penny to build Youth Detention Centres, which cost the taxpayer tens' of millions.

What Paul1405 describes is one of the many activities a well thought out National Service could include in a Gap Year term.

"Why behind bars, how about the noose, firing squad, gas chamber, electric chair, the block & axe, the guillotine..."

Still make up my views for me, Paul?

I understand. When you can't deal with my actual views and can't find a valid way to handle them, just make up new views and then pretend to attack them.

Standard Paul. It always happens when he realises his fondest beliefs are rubbish.

Hi Trumpster!

YOU bleeding heart liberals are all the same, namby-pamby half measures, simply locking them up is not good enough, that wont stop old ladies from jaywalking, they are habitual offenders, jaywalking its an uncontrolled crime wave! Being as YOU are, I suggested YOU might take on board some real deterrents, French research shows the guillotine is most effective in stopping habitual jaywalkers! In 1789.... 10,386 Parisians were guillotined for the crime of jaywalking, and not surprisingly not one re-offended! I think that is your kind of justice.