Crime Does Not Pay!

[Tonysmedley]

3 brothers in North Wales stole lead from many buildings including schools. They were sentenced to nearly 4½ years in prison. But not for each of them; that was the total for all their crimes. Individually they got 22, 20 and 14 months - probably halved if they behave themselves inside.

That will teach them!


Tony

[rufuskins]

It might not PAY but it certainly does COST

"Each new prison place costs £170,000 to build and maintain, and the cost per prisoner per year is £41,000."

give or take there are some 85000 people in jail and if they all served a 1 year sentence that's an annual COST of £3.485billion - 85000 x 41000!!!!!!

Alec

[gswindale]

"Each new prison place costs £170,000 to build and maintain

What are we putting them in? You can get some quite nice houses for that sort of money in some parts of the country!

that's an annual COST of £3.485billion

OK - let them all out - in 10 years we'll have accrued the money to build HS2

Tony - what would you suggest would be an appropriate sentence? Crime should be punished; however nicking a bit of lead is not the same as some other crimes - stealing a car and killing someone in a hit & run for instance.
What is the effect of stealing lead from somebody's roof? Does it just leak a bit or is there risk of death to the victims? Stealing from the railways does have that effect, so should be treated more seriously.

You seem quick to post these sorts of observations; but never quite make it clear what sort of point you are trying to make.

[rufuskins]

I believe the point was - although not openly stated - was whether the sentence duration matched the crime as well as its potential aftermath! That of course is bordering on unanswerable.

One might say that it was only a bit of lead from a church or school, but the potential cost to the victims may be significantly more than the value of the lead. We all know how damaging water leaks can be!

This leads to more insurance claims, and eventually the cost of all of these insurance claims will be paid for by the general public through increased premiums.

Therefore not only do we have to pay to keep the miscreants in jail but we have to pay extra in our insurance premiums! I am prepared to accept the former but less than happy with the latter!

Alec

[Tonysmedley]

I admit to posting on occasions just to stir up interest in a subject; I apologise if I offend people by so doing.
At 89 years I do not know the answers to many problems, but I can recognise what are not acceptable solutions.

A coment:-
Lead theft is rarely an insignificant crime. In many cases charitable organisations can be faced with huge bills for resultant repair and damage.

Tony

[lenfish]

Stealing lead requires a HEAVY sentence

Regards,

Len

[jbilton]

Hi

Metal theft in the UK has become a real problem.
Certainly I believe the Rail industry alone, lost around £40 million last year .
I believe Parliament is looking at a bill that will make the selling of scrap more regulated.
If people are unable to sell their ill gotten goods, then they might not bother to steal in the first place.
And if they do, they will be caught easier.

Cheers
Jon

[buffy500]

"......and the cost per prisoner per year is £41,000."

And the cost to the public of each active criminal NOT in prison is at least that much.
Add in cost of policing these idiots and the cost of what they are stealing or breaking I think £41k is a bargain.

[perfnet]

I thought this might be about a certain sportsman whose nickname was 'Crime'. He was known not to be quick to put his hand in his pocket and so gained his nickname because 'Crime doesn't pay'.

[markwhale]

My thoughts are, why put them in prison? In doing so, as previously mentioned, it comes at a cost to the tax payer and they get to live life with perks, benefits and free food and drink. The idea was to segregate them from society, teach them the errors of there ways (not always successful as they more often than not, they are released and return to crime) and reintroduce them as good law abiding members of society!!! Ok, the thought was there, but reality is not!

Put them to work. Clean up graffiti, work the parks and community area's, clear the hedges and byways in rural area's etc etc. If they smash up a bus stop, get them to repair it, spray paint on public property, get them to clean it off and more besides, steal lead from a church roof and get them to put it back!!!

Why do they care about crime when it is such a good life in prison.

Mark.

[oldrocker]

'A more humane Mikado never did in Japan exist . . . '

[Tonysmedley]

Just as a bit of background I worked closely with the Scottish Prison Service for 4 years in the late 1980s.. I was not impressed and basic things have changed litle since then.

Tony

[rufuskins]

'A more humane Mikado never did in Japan exist . . . '

Also from the Lord High Executioner from the Mikado but with amended lyrics from Monty Python

Lyrics to I've Got A Little List :

As some day it may happen that a victim must be found,
I've got a little list, I've got a little list
Of society offenders who might well be underground,
And who never would be missed, they never would be missed!
There's interior designers, window dressers and that sort
Bank robbers who retire to Spain the minute they get caught
Or those who have their noses pierced or men who die their hair
Or idiots who host chat shows and disc jockeys everywhere
And customs men who fumbling through your underwear insist
They'd none of them be missed, They'd none of them be missed!

CHORUS: He's got them on the list, He's got them on the list
And they'll none of them be missed, They'll none of them be missed.

There's the people with pretentious names like Justin, Trish and Rofle

And the gynecologist, I've got him on the list!
All muggers, joggers, buggers, floggers, people who play golf
They never would be missed, They never would be missed!
All waitresses who make you wait, accountants of all kinds
And actresses who kiss and tell and wiggle their behinds
And poncey little singers who to entertain us try
By dressing up like women and by singing far too high
And who on close observance must be either stoned or pissed
I don't think they'd be missed, I'm sure they'd not be missed!

CHORUS: He's got them on the list, He's got them on the list
And they'll none of them be missed, They'll none of them be missed.

There's the beggars who write letters from the Inland Revenue

And the gossip columnist, I've got him on the list!
Comedians and weightlifters and opera singers too
They'd none of 'em be missed, They'd none of 'em be missed.
All traffic wardens, bankers, men who sell Venetian blinds
All people who wear silly ties, Australians of all kinds
And nasty little editors whose papers are the pits
Who fill their rags with gossip and with huge and floppy... writs
But anyway I think by now you must have got the gist
They'd none of them be missed, They'd none of them be missed!

CHORUS: You may put them on the list, You may put them on the list

And they'll none of them be missed, they'll none of them be missed!

Alec

[oldrocker]

Bravo !

Excellent !