to think the Jon Venables program on bbc 1 now is unnecessary and disgusting.

[bristolcities]

I realise the point of the program is to find out why Jon returned to jail but the interviews and graphic descriptions are unnecessary and disturbing. It seems like voyeurism at it's worst.

Chose not to watch it for that very reason. I still have bad dreams about poor little James Bulger.

Agreed. I turned the tv off as soon as it was announced. I don't care about the reasons why he returned to jail. There are thousands of people returned to jail every year but the BBC isn't making programmes about them. I don't understand why anyone felt the need to make or show this programme.

I don't know if it should be on BBC1. But there are people who are going to be too young to have read the newspaper reporting. I haven't watched it so cannot comment on the quality or accuracy of the programme. People often comment on such cases without having the knowlege of what happened (or perpitrators background) so i do think that it is neccessary to revive stories when there is a new case to answer by the guilty party.

If it was for the sake of educating people and trying to work out a way of people not re-offending then great but that doesn't explain why we need to here every awful detail of a child's murder and the original interview, chilling. I accidentally watched the first 30 seconds and it's really upset me.

I was going to have it on but got all tearful within minutes and had to change the channel. It's on again now and I am at the fact that underage murderers are housed in secure units along with "vulnerable children placed there for their own protection" WTF?

The story could be outlined with out the need to show the original cctv etc again, those are the final moment of a small child's life and it's being use for entertainment.

It is only when there is a public outcry that things begin to change in the legal system because justice 'must be seen to be done', so if people want to take an active interest in what is happening in the justice system and inside prisons then the information should be available. As i said haven't watched any of it.

I doubt if it has not been shown to Denise Bulger first. There needs to be a review of 'child in secure units', it is to Labours shame that it did not happen.

As i said i didn't watch it deliberatly, i am just putting another side to it.

I just think the only thing that's going to happen is knee jerk reactions. It seems to me that what ever treatment Jon received didn't work. They were obviously two deeply disturbed men that needed help, something I and I expect the majority of the public are not experts on.

sorry spelling mistake, 'children in secure units'

Perhaps at first some of the audience are watching it for enterainment purposes but it does start discussion and thought.

They were left to 'the experts', so it is also 'the experts' and those that can make a change to the system that need to change. Public outcrys does start the process for change.

Oh. I'm finding it really quite interesting actually.

I don't think it's going to be that sort of publu out cry though. With this sort of sensationalized program the response can often be one to reinstate the death penalty etc. Not helpful and like I said knee jerk.

public*

I am recording this as I thought it was going to look at rehabilitation in general as well as at the JV case. Not worth keeping then?

Some of you are made of stronger stuff than me.

Sadly, I suspect any outcry arising as a result of this won't be looking for the reform of criminals like these boys.
This is the first I've heard of it, but it doesn't sound likely to appeal to its audience's liberal side.

I pity Denise Bulger because the media have never ever let her go - they rake it up again and again. Bad enough to have to live with it every day without a regular round of newspapers/journalists etc letting her know on a regular basis waht JV and MT did next. . Not sure this is in HER interests or to sell their papers tbh.