To think judges are too lenient?

[ambereeree]

There's an article on the BBC today about a man who viewed pics of children being abused and has not been jailed. What kind of message does this send out? It really frightens me.

also I agreed with you that it was impractical just didnt think people that commit/view horrendous acts against children deserve whether it is inhumane to even come into the picture

I hate child sex offenders just as much as the next person. But seriously, locking them up just causes problems down the line on release. They get out, can't get a job, have no friends left or money. So what do they do? Offend against children, as this gives them some enjoyment in their miserable life.

I would support castration as an option if it was medically OK to do.

For lower level offending, having restrictions on internet use, residency, curfew, child contact plus compulsory psychological treatment is probably enough.

Castration has been proven not to work. The offences aren't always sexually driven by testosterone.

And even if you don't have any testosterone you can still look at pictures, groom a child or it's parents, manipulate and so on. Some of it is a mental thing about relating to people and having control with the high risk offenders - just as rape is more about power than sex.

If im thinking of the same article as you it’s all about the ex-wife’s perspective. She states at the end that whilst she initially wanted a custodial sentence she came to realise that what he got was actually far more appropriate. A prison sentence would have been very short, he’d be out and nothing really changed. Actually a community order would have an impact for much longer

I reckon most people subscribe to the "Lock 'em up & throw away the key" philosophy about every crime, any crime. Most people don't care about rehabilitation and quite a few would support hanging for minor offences (like stealing a loaf of bread when you were starving). We live in an era when it's cool to Hate and encouraged to Never Forgive.

I absolutely do not fit in with any of those ways of thinking, btw.

The best way for a sentence to be determined is by an experienced judge hearing all the evidence in court and applying the relevant law and guidelines.

The worst way to make a decision about sentencing is a knee jerk reaction to media reports without the full context.

The book The Secret Barrister has a chapter on just this issue. Very funny but thoughtful.

lljkk I think when it comes to crimes against children you shouldn't be forgiven. change my mind