is it april fools or something?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23686277

 

So thieves shouldn't be jailed because it isn't a 'violent, sexual or threatening' act? Never mind that theft can have devastating effects on victims, who have to deal with the aftermath. It's all very well saying that the victim should be taken care of, but how is that going to stop the culprit from just doing it again? If there are no consequences, they'll just do it again and again.

Trouble is jail has no effect they will pop back for 3 months to catch up with friends, get 3 meals a day etc in fact cue a few sprees in the next few months in the aim of getting Xmas inside

It does purely depend on the victim tho most just want their stuff back/damaged paid for and the serial offenders can't have a community resolution to pay the victim back. There should be some option for community service like the street clean up schemes they have in the states £39k a year to keep someone in prison For a year or they could be given a 'job' the repayments could be taken direct from wages as could a national insurance.

This would work for the guys and girls that are nicking meat/cheese/toiletries from the major high street stores on a regular basis as the store is the victim but there could be an opt in for other victims as some would want the punishment to repair what the crime has done or sometimes just a face to face apology from the perpetrator and the chance to tell them what the crime has done to them

But that's my problem - it's generalistic. People commit crimes for different reasons, for a start. Without the threat of prison, so many people would take that as leave to go ahead with theft. While prison may not deter the serious thieves, it does make an impact on plenty of convicted people. I don't think petty theft warrants a huge prison sentence, but nor do I think that only the three crimes mentioned in the article deserve prison sentences.

But there is no real threat of prison to those in the know first time caught will likely be a community resolution, next time if they admit offence they could have a fixed penalty ticket and a £90 fine, next time they are eligible to a caution then next time a charge to court who would rarely hand out prison so early in someone's time in the system (the sentences from the riots were point making) it simply is not in the public interest (cost) chances are they will get a suspended sentence anyway.

The best chance is they get a community order and if they breech conditions then the courts will be none too pleased and default to prison.