Is this right, what are your opinions of young crimminals, should they be locked up or not?

Question

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1291413,00.html

Answer 1

Absolute rubbish. These people have no idea what it's like living among these kids. They know the difference between right and Wrong well before the age of 10. Raising the age would cut the crime statistics, and make the police and government look good, but it wouldn't cut crime. These kids should be locked up sooner, instead of beining allowed to commit crime after crime before they are charged. And there are plenty of kids under ten commiting crime, knowing it's wrong.

Answer 2

It depends on the criminal- their age, their crime, the likelyhood they would repeat the crime after being punished.

Personally I think good old fashioned hard work is an often overlooked punishment, have them help repair and improve the places they've vandalised, or at least give something tangible back to the neighbours they've terrorised other than the satisfaction the community has somehow got its own back.

I think Rowan Williams is right- not all criminals are the same, you wouldn't want every speeding motorist to be sent to jail would you? And yet dangerous drivers are as much criminals as ASBO kids- the only difference is it is somehow acceptable because "everyone does it".

Answer 3

I think that by that age they can tell right from wrong, but I don't necessarily think that they should be locked up (if the crime is severe enough, though, I think it is fine). If anything, that just has kids coming out worse then when they went in, very few come out changed for the better. I think they need to find some new way to reform kids other than jail more then they need to change the age limit (I'm not talking about community service because that is a joke).

Answer 4

There is not much research as to why young people become criminals.The present judicial system is punishment for crime and "reforming the person".Once the person goes out he will be a more HARDENED criminal.Early alcoholism,sex,absence of emotinal support in family,financial problems,lack of moral values in education /syllablus are reasons for increasing number of young criminals.It is for the sociologists and politicians(Govt) to restore old family system with emotional support.Socially responsible education , law and prisons with a view to reform the young criminals are immediately required.The concept of open jail has helped reforming of criminals in many countries.

Answer 5

The whole criminal justice system is in a mess, and needs to be given a complete overall. So the age of responsibility is 10, so there for their parents should take responsibility for the child's actions, resulting in them ending up in court, and if the crime warrants a prison sentence then the parent is sent to prison and the child is put in to care until he/she gets out, that way the parents will have to keep control of their kids. As for over 10's i say bring back Detention Centres and Borstals, these kids need locking up, we are pussie footing around them and we are being laughed at, scrap maximum sentencing and bring in minimum sentencing. When some one gets 3 Years they only do 18 Months, the minimum that they should serve is 3 Years if they mess a bout in prison add time on to their sentence. we will only get a grip on crime if we toughen up on the sentencing, make people afraid to go to prison. Lets get one thing straight, prison works, Micheal Howard proved it

Answer 6

Very noble words from the Archbishop, but for all of us that live in the real world, these little S**** are a pain in the neck, they are fully aware of their legal rights and know they cant be charged because they are under age, I think its time to get tough not just with the kids involved in crime, but their parents too, after all the parents are the ones who are ultimately responsible for their children, and its not for society to do their job. If these kids knew if they were found guilty of a crime and would go to a secure environment and the parent were made to pay for the kids crimes, then maybe this would convince them to take their responsibilities seriously.

Answer 7

Anyone who thinks that 10 year-olds with "troubled backgrounds may not be mature enough to know the difference between right and wrong," has NEVER worked much with kids.

I taught school for almost 20 years, and trust me, third graders, yes, even third graders with troubled backgrounds know the difference between right and wrong.
I have worked in many different settings with numerous children over the years... many of them second and third graders who came to school with more emotional baggage than a kid that age should have.

We adults and caregivers would work and work with those kids, we'd love them and do our utmost to try and help them make better choices.

But once a child decides to actually take the life of another human being, or cause serious bodily harm to another human being, then he's crossed that line. And by all means, he does not need to be treated "like a kid." He needs to be treated like the adult that his (or her) choice of action has warranted.

Answer 8

Young criminals should be punished for crimes against society. However, I believe that traditional prisons are an inappropriate place to house them. We should provide camps in which they could receive harsh treatment in rudimentary conditions - basic food and water - no televisions - and hard work and exercise. Their stay in these conditions should be related to the crimes committed with crimes of violence attracting longer sentences. I really believe it is essential that these thugs leave prison with a hatred of the conditions under which they served their sentences and promising themselves that they would not wish to return.

Answer 9

Would you rather be shot by a young person or a mature person?

Doesn't make a difference does it?

Shot is shot.

But the young person actually poses a greater danger in that if their attitudes/actions are allowed to go unchecked, they often become more violent over time than their mature counterpart who committs a crime.

Yes, they should be locked up, but they should also receive top notch care to transform them into productive, law abiding adults.



g-day!

Answer 10

If a person commits a crime they should be dealt with according to law regardless of age, gender or race.

I'm sick of people thinking that someone deserves a break because of their class or status. That is why youth are criminals these days. Because mommy and daddy didn't want to discipline their own kid and raise them with responsibility. Now the kid is a criminal and society wants them given "second chances."

Second chances are for Jesus, folks. The law is the law.