Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
On-line voting will decide punishment
Monday 30th March 2009, 11:30AM BST.
People in the Black Country will be able to vote on punishments given out to criminals, it was announced today.
The move is part of a pilot project by the Ministry of Justice to give the public a say in how they want lawbreakers to repay society for their crimes. A website has been set up for people in Wolverhampton, Walsall and Sandwell.
They can make suggestions for community service projects in their area, such as removing graffiti. The most popular will be adopted by the probation service.
The Ministry of Justice say the pilots, which cover 54 areas, will give the public a say in punishments, prompting criticism from the Conservatives who today called for proper sentences not “gimmicks”.
The changes are said to be aimed at encouraging more public involvement in the justice system and follow the launch of high-visibility jackets for criminals.
More than 55,000 lawbreakers carry out community service every year.
A Mori poll found that the public want offenders to do outdoor manual work such as cleaning the streets.
The move was today backed by Wolverhampton City Council cabinet member Paddy Bradley, who said: “If these people are going to clean the streets and clean away graffiti in the city, then this is a brilliant scheme.”
Justice Secretary Jack Straw said people had a right to know what offenders are doing in their neighbourhood to repay for the wrongs committed but shadow justice secretary Dominic Grieve said the public wanted to see justice done “with proper sentences”.
Votes can be cast at www. direct.gov.uk/Community Payback
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I suppose hung by the goolies is too much to hope for as a option lolol
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Wow, you’re so mature and funny at the same time, Tipton Fox.
Unfortunately, you are indicative of what this proposal is all about – populist nonsense designed to impress simpletons who think that “punishment must fit the crime”.
Do you want mob rule? How about some lynchings? Or what about skimming rides? Maybe you think there should be public hangings and floggings, where you can throw rotten cabbages at “criminals”?
That’s real progress for you. I bet these same people like Tipton Fox probably think that Sharia law is barbaric and primitive…
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Dear Sir,
Let the “sentenced” make a start on cleaning up thge preponderence of chewing gum debris fouling up all city and town centres.
Furthermore let them cvlean up and “beautify” areas oin toiwns etc with materials provided by the local council (flowers etc)
I will volunteer (expenses paid) to ensure that malcreants do the required time and task.
George Carpenter C.Eng., M.I.C.E.
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Bet you’d like to live in saudi Rebecca. Not a lot of people steal there do they? Perhaps you want to live in a country where we talk to our criminals and educate them into the better ways of the world. Then off they go laughing behind your back and taking with them our hard earned taxes and going back to a life of take what you want Tipton fox is correct for some of our criminal elements. What would you do with criminals involved in child crimes Rebecca? Shall the punishment fit the crime with these criminals?? Or shall we just hand them to the parents? As a parent i for one would love to vote on their punishments!!
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I myself do community payback and everyone works very hard already on various projects throughout Wolverhampton that include working with Charities, cleaning of the waterways, cemetries and countless other good causes.
I think the idea of residents putting there ideas forward are excellent although what would happen with the street cleaners employed by the local authority if this was to be taken over by the CP, surely there are more worth while projects that can be undertaken.
Yes each and everyone of us doing community payback have done wrong but not everyone is a hardened criminal that deserve to be hung drawn & quartered Tipton Fox
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never mind messing about with petty crime give the people a say on real crime i dont think judges live in the same world as us to many real villans walk from court laughing at us lets get real
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Considering we have a large number of illegal immigrants in the region and alot of thos are involved in crime. I do hope that one of the options will be immediate deportation!
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…And in response to Rebecca’s comment. You criticise TiptonFox for a jokey comment about capital punishment and then defend Sharia Law. Clearly you have absolutely no understanding of the subject. If you would like to see that kind of justice in our courts Rebecca, I hope for your sake that you stay on the straight and narrow. If not and as a woman, you may find yourself being publicly stoned to death.
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8 Karl _ Lets hope so
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2)Hi Rebecca, joking aside, bleeding heart liberals such as yourself have ruled this country for the past 40 years, do you think we have a better quality of life now? I think I know what the majority would say!, or would you rather we keep going down the “there there, not your fault” route which by the amount of re offenders proves once and for all it does not work. You liberals have had your time, and a right mess you have left us with, time for a new sheriff in this town.
5) says it all!!!
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Bet the list won’t include, the stocks, the birch or the death penalty.
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