So Another Savage To Be Freed By The Looks Of It

[youngmafbog]

Can anyone tell me what the point of a Life Sentence is if only 9 years are spent behind bars? Why not just sentence to 9 years and have done with it (or maybe 20 as you would probably ony do 9 anyway).

It's about time the Justice system was given an overhaul. Sentencing, some of the judiciary and the Parole office are no longer fit for purpose and downright mis leading the public.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5756609/Serial-sex-attacker-preyed-100-women-set-free-jail-months.html#comments

[sandyRoe]

The fact that he's applied for parole doesn't mean he will get it.

[Buenchico]

Someone sentenced to life is permanently 'on licence' when they're released from prison. That means that they have to stick to the conditions of the licence and can be returned to prison if they fail to do so (without needing to be convicted of any other offence).

A person who is sentenced to a fixed term of imprisonment will only be 'on licence' from when they're released from prison until the end of their full sentence. (In certain circumstances an 'extended licence' period can be imposed by the court that passes sentence but such a period must still be finite).

So someone who's on licence after being released from a life sentence has to 'watch their steps' far more closely, and for far longer, than someone who's been released from a fixed-term sentence.

[youngmafbog]

So if released and you murder or rape again then you will be dealt with quicker if you have a life sentence than otherwise is what you are saying then?

[aelmpvw]

^ that won't be much consolation to his latest victims

[Buenchico]

What I'm saying, YMB, is that someone who's 'on licence' can be returned to prison for a long time for something relatively minor.

It could be for an offence like shoplifting (which would normally not result in a custodial sentence but could see an offender on licence returned to prison for several years) or it could simply be for a breach of the licence conditions. (e.g. if someone's licence states that they can't stay overnight in the same house as a child without the prior consent of the probation service, then simply sleeping with his girlfriend, at her home where her child also lives, could be enough to see him sent straight back to prison for a few more years).

[youngmafbog]

Personally I'm more concerned about them recommitting the crime they were banged up for rather than punching some sprouts from Tesco.

So effectively the giving of a Life sentence is pointless.

[Mamyalynne]

It's understandable that when we hear a sentence given,we almost stop listening after the word 'life' and miss the following recommendations, so in that way then yes maybe the wording should be altered.

He may not yet convince the Parole Board, we'll have to wait.

[ludwig]

// So someone who's on licence after being released from a life sentence has to 'watch their steps' far more closely, and for far longer, than someone who's been released from a fixed-term sentence. //

The trouble is, being criminals, they tend not to. Anyone that's done something horrible enough to be sentenced to 'life', is never really safe, which why we hear so many stories of murderers\rapists etc being let out early only to repeat the offence on some other poor sod.

An overhaul is required, at the very least of the names of the sentences, so they reflect what the sentence actually is.