To think that it’s ridiculous to offer prisoners ‘incentives’ for attending verdict/sentencing hearings - it’s connected to Lucy Letby.

[pam290358]

Just heard on the news that Lucy Letby has again refused to attend court - this time for sentencing today. There are now calls for tougher sentences for those who won’t attend court, but an ‘expert’ on the BBC is of the opinion that that won’t work for people already facing long sentences/whole life terms. The alternative view is that they should be offered ‘incentives’ to do so, such as privileges in prison or live streaming the proceedings from their cell.

I’m not an advocate of dragging them kicking and screaming into the dock because I don’t think it benefits anyone - least of all the victims’ families who are already traumatised enough, but I must admit to being strongly against offering incentives for something I feel should be mandatory anyway. What do others think ?

Think about the logistics of things for one second.

That might seem straightforward enough for someone like Letby- a slight woman who killed newborn babies.

Now imagine trying to force an unwilling, with nothing to lose, Levi Bellfield or Wayne Couzens to do the same.

Agree with a pp who pointed out that Letby revelled in those families’ grief for their babies. Listening to them pouring their hearts and souls out in victim impact statements won’t make any difference to someone like that.

They don't have to be dragged kicking and screaming.

Wheel them in Hannibal Lector style.

%3D

This

Yep

The victims families would be better served being counselled about their relationship with the perpetrator. In the kindest way possible, they need to understand that this was NEVER ABOUT THEM! And nothing they say or do in a victim impact statement in cases like this will lessen their pain or make the perpetrator feel remorse. Any successful work like this usually happens well into a sentence (if at all).

No no, unless someone is a risk then there is no basis to restrain them.

Also, I don't see that there will be so many prison officers up for manhandling dangerous offenders onto trolleys. A legal nightmare.

Put them in a confined cell with an unbreakable screen and speakers you cannot turn down. I mean it's absurd and undignified but it's probably lawful.

The judge could ask the victims for their preference- if split there could be 2 sittings - it warrants discussion and consideration about how people's needs can and if they should be accommodated, it could be accommodated in my mind without the obtuse kicking and screaming arguments imo

That would add a lot of delays to the justice system and also a lot of extra costs if the sentencing became a two part event for every murder trial is some family members don't want to see the killer of their loved one and some do.

Other countries manage it, in the US the prisoners are chained hand and foot.

Why?

Well she's going to spend the rest of her life in prison so it really doesn't matter. If she really is a psychopath then she may be detained in a hospital securely.

How do you think prisoners are managed in prison? Or do we only imprison slight baby killers? Our prison system has to manage these people all the time.

@maddening not by dragging them around bound and gagged as a matter of course

People get chained in the US for the most minor crimes. It’s nothing to emulate.

Yes, there is so much to aspire to with the US criminal justice system isn’t there 🫤

@Chatillon er I'm not love!!

You ,however....,

Why?

Shoot The Dog

Well, it's not really the behaviour of a very rational person.

@ReginaRegina

Prisons are full of people who have behaved irrationally though? Are they all 'mentally Ill' then?

Evil and Mental Illness can go hand in hand. Classic case here don’t you think?

Or was it 5G?

Lots of people in prison have signs of mental illness. It does not mean they are not criminally responsible.

If Letby was insane or incapable, they would have said. They didn't. She isn't.

PP is talking about Lucy Letby. Not your average prisoner. That is why your posts are off (although I used a different word).

You do realise that there aren’t any laptops inside the cells..? Right? There’s no external
connectivity anywhere except the video suites used for court appearances. Fucking teams. Catch on.

I have to say that I do agree with this here.

Surely the most important thing is the verdict and consequence. Not her being there at the sentencing.
In my opinion