Jay Of Melbourne

The reason islamic/sharia law is so similar to judeo/christian law is they have exactly the same origin, namely the Ten Commandments. Mind you hebrews & their jewish offspring always had a thing about complicating everything beyond recognition and the islamics have never been any better. There was in fact no significant divergence from mosaic law until the first century when islamic / non-messianic jewish idealogy split with christian / messianic-jewish idealogy. The New Testament was intended to replace Old Testament law, (just like a later will replaces an earlier one) and regardless of popular opinion, its not totally relevant to civilizations that developed from christian roots.

Good afternoon to you; PHILIP S, HASBEEN & INDIVIDUAL...

I firmly believe all three of you should cease immediately from using your 'common sense', otherwise how can you ever hope to become sufficiently erudite and enlightened, to understand the causative components of recidivism in crime ?

That ladies and gentleman is the sole preserve of the academics. The criminologists, psychiatrists, the judiciary, psychologists, sociologists, and to a certain extent, the demographers. It is rare indeed, that police and prison officers, at the 'coalface' are ever consulted apropos the merits or otherwise as to whether an offender deserves access to early release, parole.

Apart from Victims' Impact Statements, furnished during the sentencing stage of the initial Court proceedings, very little regard or opinion is ever considered from the VICTIMS themselves, when an offender is considered eligible for a parole hearing ? It's thought many victims aren't sufficiently objective or impartial, to give a fair hearing to an offender.

Where it's thought our learned academics are essentially non-partisan, and will give a much fairer, unbiased hearing. And they're much more skilled in determining, whether or not sufficient remorse has been exhibited by the potential Parolee ? Remorse is very important when seeking parole.

In my feeble thinking, we should follow what's practiced in normal criminal jurisprudence in America. Where an eligible offender applies for a parole hearing, his victim may also be present, and heard, during that hearing !

That's an essential part of 'real' criminal justice, in my opinion. The Parole Board, may then place whatever 'weight' they wish, on the thoughts and opinions of the victim ! A much fairer process ? And the victim feels they're part of the justice process.

Interestingly, I've had offenders say to my face. '...you just tell them idiot's on the Board what they wanna hear, they're too bloody stupid, or up em selve's to know any difference...' ?

I having given it much thought am still unable to think other than the failures could have been avoided.
Some doubt may be found that all parole is a failure.
But I think parole boards are very often, thinking of the perpetrator not the victims.
20 serial rapes, that is the number Jill,s Murderer has been convicted of, and no one knew, until he pleaded guilty.
Parole boards however know that and still open the gate.

Hi there Folks...

Sharia law for some of our more heinous crime does sound very attractive ? The trouble is (pardon my ignorance), sometimes the punishment far outweighs the gravity of the original crime.

HASBEEN...

I must say I like your novel approach to encourage those in power, to come down much harder on offenders. If not, they're obliged to serve a 10% portion of the original head sentence, of any offender they've been too lenient with, who again re-offends as a result of their indulgent ways ? I could just imagine some old, overweight Justice being carted off to gaol for his/her sentencing error ?

Though, I was acquainted with one job where the former NSW Minister for Prisons, Rex JACKSON was gaoled for corruption. He was initially taken by 'Four Wheels' out to the Bay, most reckon he was quaking in his boots ? Not so apparently, he emerged from the truck, head held high, and ultimately did his boob pretty easily by all accounts, most of which was served at Berrima (protection) Gaol. Seems old Rex was a bit of a pug in his younger days and could hold his hands up ?

Parole is a useful tool and a valuable aid in which to assist in rehabilitating 'some' offenders. Apparently, the judiciary have this belief, that when sentencing an offender, you must leave a window of opportunity open, for their ultimate release back into society. Without this opportunity, the offender simply gives up all hope of ever being released, and he transforms into a total intractable and becomes a dangerous menace to inmate and warder alike ?

There's evidence to support that belief too. But at what risk ? The least of the two evils, I'd suspect ?

o sung wu

'Interestingly, I've had offenders say to my face. '...you just tell them idiot's on the Board what they wanna hear '

I spent a bit of time in the NSW system when Jackson was the Corrective Services Minister. He spent time playing cards at Berima. I was at Goulburn at the time. Crimminals learn to play the system very quickly. If you or I had nothing to do all day while being locked up we would to.

My personal view is that the victim of the crime should determine if the offender gets parole or not. As someone else has already said judges should be elected not part of a dismally failed ideological mob. Remember Vincent and then you know everything wrong with the system. He was supposed to be a progressive making it very hard for good officers to do a very difficult job. He insisted a murderer of a prison officer be treated well even after displaying nothing but evil inside and outside of prison. Also if a person has already broken parole conditions (and most have) they should be disqualified from ever getting it again.

o sung wu

There are countless good ideas implemented elsewhere on planet earth that the virtual imbeciles we elect appear incapable of discovering on any of their 'fact finding' junkets. The dying duck himself advised me in person that all citizens are entitled to demand an accounting when politicians return from a junket, however I've yet to see any explanation of what the clowns do. There does appear to be a good case for input from victims. This wouldn't by any means be the only situation where educated idiot do-gooders have a disproportionate influence, in fact they appear to be breeding like flies.

Your story about erstwhile 'honorable' persons doing time in the big house is interesting. For what its worth there have been more than a few of the Queensland mob who have also managed to get themselves a few years free accommodation. Ex police commissioner Terry Lewis (an ex-knight no less) is probably the most notable, but he had company with a few of his mates from the Fitzgerald Inquiry. Seems most of them got let out pretty quickly, guess that happens when one has mates in positions of influence. Presently we have a certain Gordon Nuttall who appears to have offended all his cronies to the extent the DPP keeps finding ever more stuff to throw at him. Seems the early release won't apply in his case, but then he's likely to have company shortly with an LNP member who has done quite a few naughty things. Meanwhile a few of us are hoping some of the Blighter gubmunt get their come-uppance re the zillions squandered on various schemes. Never a dull moment in the deep north :)