Hi there INDIVIDUAL...

The overwhelming presence of 'Jelly Judges' and pathetically weak Magistrates, unfortunately pervade throughout the judiciary, are merely a sign of the times, simply a corollary of the Labour left !

Further, it's apparent that both sides of politics will do anything to reduce the gaol population purely on fiscal grounds. I've heard staggering amounts of money alluded to, just to keep a person in prison, per diem.

So it would seem my friend that economics does play a significant part in the Judiciary's decision making process, as to whether a custodial sentence is conferred ? Notwithstanding the awful physical or emotional impact the crime may've had on the hapless victim !

When I recall the hundreds of hours detectives have sustained, in order to submit a thoroughly good brief, simply to see the smirking crook walk from court with a wholly suspended sentence, or some 'pitiable' community service order (which is a standing joke), would make you cry.

Actually INDIVIDUAL, to be perfectly truthful with you, I've now lost confidence in the current crop of those presiding in the NSW Magistracy ? I've virtually given up on ever seeing a positive change for the better, in my lifetime ?

individual, "Perhaps the title of this thread is wrong, perhaps it should be called Forget the prisoners & concentrate on the victims.
Why is there so much about the culprits & nothing about their victims?"

You are right to say that. When it all comes down to the wire, the public would like to see some evidence that their rights are being upheld and criminals are being made to feel sorry for what they have done.

The rights of criminals have been paramount in the decisions of governments and the academics and bureaucrats who advise them.

Burglary and home invasions are now common and few cases are cleared by police. However in Queensland and every jurisdiction in Australia except for NSW, respectable, law-abiding citizens who are caused to defend themselves and their loved ones in their own home are re-victimised by the State through the reversed standard of proof that applies to those cases. I am not asking for a citizen to be able to use a firearm, simply that the grossly unfair reversed standard of proof be removed.