2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion
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Jonetta
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Sep 12, 2021 03:02PM
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I'm not an expert by any means in this. Maybe because although it was a heinous crime the judicial system supposedly works on not only punishment but rehabilitation. Unless the perpetrator's file is stamped "Never to be released" parole is always an option if the person does display rehabilitation, remorse and an intent to not reoffend. Expert panels I guess assess this. I'm sure Victim Impact Statements are also considered. Not saying I agree but this is the system.
People always find God in prison. I don't think that was a deciding factor. I don't know if it is true in England, but in the US prisons are over crowded. If a person can act a good game, they can convince the parole board that they are sorry for what they did, and they want a chance to make amends or something similar. It surprised me that they considered a murderer though. That is not the norm. When Bryant saw one person looking at his watch and another bored when the father of the murder victim was talking, I wanted to let them go home with Peter Drake.
The only thing I know about parole (in the US) is from watching TV. Along with having a good record in prison, the prisoner must acknowledge to the parole board that they did the crime (even if they've been claiming innocence the whole time) and that they are remorseful. Many claim that they've found religion. I believe they also take the victim's family into consideration. In this case it sounded like they'd seen Peter Drake several times over the years and really didn't take Richard Harrison's pleas seriously. They may have had their minds made up before the actual parole hearing.
Robin, You don't see 1st degree murderers paroled often. I always thought parole was based on the mindset of the murderer and admitting guilt. This was a premeditated crime. I can see getting parole for manslaughter or even 2nd degree (is that a crime of passion?) but I don't see giving someone like Drake parole.
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However, with that said, the Tate-Labianca murderers who were members of the Charles Manson “family” keep getting paroled. The governors continue to overrule them. I know this because I’ve signed Sharon Tate’s sister’s petitions each time. Governor Jerry Brown repeatedly overruled the board and Governor Newsome continues that action. These boards seem to be following a blueprint and aren’t considering the severity of the crimes. California has a serious overcrowding situation and they were releasing rapists! That’s how Jaycee Dugard was abducted and held for years…a rapist paroled due to overcrowding.
I go on. I also don’t know the UK system but if I take this story as representative of it, their parole boards seem to be using a blueprint, too. Doesn’t bode well for victims of violent crime.
It is true that some board members seem to believe that violent criminals can be rehabilitated when that is rarely true. I'm in Florida. It is more difficult to get paroled here. I think California/Florida are both the extremes of the US legal system as far as parole boards anyway.
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Jonetta wrote: "Can you imagine freeing the Manson killers???"No I can't.
Jonetta wrote: "Can you imagine freeing the Manson killers???"When I was a teen, I watched Helter Skelter on TV. My dad told me that Charles Manson was up for parole and he bought a house in a town a few miles away from where we lived. Of course he was lying, but I believed him for a little while. I was really scared.
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Oh Lordy! That sounds like something my brothers would say to me.
Also, I think that the prison system has to, at some point, show that the work they are doing is rehabilitating some of the prisoners enough that they can be released back into society. They have to show that they are more than just a place to lock people away.
In the UK, a whole life sentence (in other words one in which the defendant is not eligible for parole) is very rare. Most murderers are given 30-40 year sentences and are eligible for "license" (parole) after 20. Many prisoners are released after 1/3 of their sentence unless they are deemed dangerous or have not admitted their crime. In addition, until recently with Brexit, UK laws were subject to review by the European Court for Human Rights, which views life without parole as cruel and inhumane.
Only this week a former police officer in the UK was sentenced to a whole life tariff for rape and murder. This sentence was only due to the fact that he used his position as a policeman to kidnap the victim. - https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-l...
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I’m also familiar with the case you cite as it seemed to have the UK in an uproar. Was it that unusual?
That case in the UK was just horrific. The sentence was the very least that person deserved in a civilised world where we don't issue capital punishment. In NSW, Australia we also have" Never to be released" for the most heinous crimes.
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Okay. I read the entire article and have a couple of questions. Couzens apparently had a well known reputation within Metro, some calling him the “rapist.” Are you kidding me?
Jonetta wrote: "Couzens apparently had a well known reputation within Metro, some calling him the “rapist.” Are you kidding me?"It is simply appalling that this disgusting excuse for a human being was allowed to continue being a policeman when he had a reputation for harassing women.
This is certainly part of the uproar over the case. However, other issues are arising as a result including:
- the Met's terrible reaction in which they more or less disavow him and imply that there are no problematic officers in the force (an officer from the same unit was arrested this week for rape - https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-58784201
-the ridiculous advice the Met is giving to women "to keep themselves safe" (isn't that the job of the police and why is the onus of responsibility placed on women when men are the problem?)
- the general treatment of women who complain of harassment, abuse and sexual assault by the police
It's becoming a serious issue in the UK right now.
Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "In NSW, Australia we also have" Never to ..."As a former British mandate, the laws in Israel are very similar to those in the UK. We have the same rules for sentencing and parole. I imagine that Australia, being part of the Commonwealth, also has similar laws and rules.
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It is simply appalling that this disgusting excuse for a human bein..."
This new rape allegation is against someone from the same unit!!! Why hasn’t someone lost their jobs yet? Is anyone doing an independent investigation?
Wow. We’ve our share of issues in the US so I’m not setting us aside. It distresses me that our law enforcement community and judicial system still has an appalling record with assaults against women.
It is the Blue Line. For some reason police officers close rank and refuse to see one of their "brothers" in the wrong. When I worked for the City of Clearwater, there was a policeman who was inappropriate with females who called in for help. He did everything from touching to rape, and the woman were labeled "crazy" until one person recorded the incident. It is sad that the people who we think can be trusted turn out to be predators.
Thanks for the insight into British law. I can't wrap my head around paroling murderers. Maybe the feeling is after 30 or 40 years, they aren't going to kill again because they are too old or weak.Also, serial sex offenders are rarely rehabilitated. There are a lot of studies to back this up. I don't think there is anyway I can see parole for them.
Jonetta wrote: "This new rape allegation is against someone from the same unit!!! Why hasn’t someone lost their jobs yet? Is anyone doing an independent investigation?."Exactly?!
The opposition party has asked for the resignation of the Commissioner of Police but she (yes, it is a woman!) refuses. An investigation into gross misconduct has begun.
Sharon wrote: "It is sad that the people who we think can be trusted turn out to be predators."It is terrible! Women in the UK (and I am sure other countries as well) are afraid to call the police for help now that so many cases of sexual abuse and misconduct by the police are emerging.
Lauren wrote: "Sharon wrote: "It is sad that the people who we think can be trusted turn out to be predators."It is terrible! Women in the UK (and I am sure other countries as well) are afraid to call the polic..."
Women seem to get the short end of the stick no matter how many laws are changed.
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The opposition party has asked for the resignation of the Commissioner of Police but she (yes, it is a woman!) refuses. An investigation into gross misconduct has begun...."
She should have been fired yesterday.
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Sharon, this drives me crazy. They only shoot themselves in their feet by continuing this attitude. They’re saying members of law enforcement are above the law. Change has to start somewhere and this is a great place to start.
