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Criminal sentences - USA vs UK

This poll is closed

Which country has it right regarding criminal sentencing?

UK47%

USA53%

Total votes: 15

tomfranks7

7

Who does it best, the UK or the USA?

Just saw this story about a copper in the US facing 35 years in jail for having sex with a woman he pulled over, then throwing away her ticket.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1236256/Cop-faces-35-years-prison-having-sex-woman-pulled--throwing-away-tickets.html

Compare that to this story (UK); Man guilty of inciting an under-aged girl to engage in sexual activity escapes with a police caution for his offence; AKA NO JAIL TIME

http://www.theratbook.com/Articles/Article/judges_anger_at_sex_offenders_caution

I mean is there any wonder the UK is getting as messed up as it is?

Reply 1

Mr Phil

tomfranks7

Who does it best, the UK or the USA?

Just saw this story about a copper in the US facing 35 years in jail for having sex with a woman he pulled over, then throwing away her ticket.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1236256/Cop-faces-35-years-prison-having-sex-woman-pulled--throwing-away-tickets.html

Compare that to this story (UK); Man guilty of inciting an under-aged girl to engage in sexual activity escapes with a police caution for his offence; AKA NO JAIL TIME

http://www.theratbook.com/Articles/Article/judges_anger_at_sex_offenders_caution

I mean is there any wonder the UK is getting as messed up as it is?

Well it IS the Faily Fail, so i'll ignore that.

I jsut like it when people get stupid sentances like 874 years. I mean how the hell do they come up with them????

And why not 850 years? or 800? I mean they wont last that long. Crazy.

Reply 2

tomfranks7

OP

7

Mr Phil

And why not 850 years? or 800? I mean they wont last that long. Crazy.

If the sentence is over the typical lifetime, doesnt it carry on to their children, and their childrens children etc? :eek:

Reply 3

Mr Phil

tomfranks7

If the sentence is over the typical lifetime, doesnt it carry on to their children, and their childrens children etc? :eek:

No. Don't be silly.

Reply 4

rezarf

3

tomfranks7

If the sentence is over the typical lifetime, doesnt it carry on to their children, and their childrens children etc? :eek:

You idiot haha

Reply 5

rezarf

3

I do hate the way the UK justice system says they're getting life when it's only 18years or something
Life should mean LIFE end of.

Reply 6

justjoshing

8

Life should mean life!

Reply 7

lordbonney

1

Well we cant really judge a whole criminal system based on those two cases can we?! Pretty stupid question, as both countries have cases where it would seem that the sentence is far too soft. Both have their flaws.

Reply 8

34253

2

I can't figure out the girls age in the 2nd story? The guy was only 20, so if she was 15 it really is a cautionable offence. Pretty sick, but both parties are quite close in age.

Reply 9

tomfranks7

OP

7

lordbonney

Well we cant really judge a whole criminal system based on those two cases can we?! Pretty stupid question, as both countries have cases where it would seem that the sentence is far too soft. Both have their flaws.

I agree its unfair to base this on just 2 stories...especially as I specifically searched for 2 stories that most substantiate my argument...but this appears to be a running theme throughout reported cases..in general, sentencing is much tougher in the USA than it is over here.

Shouldnt we be harder on criminals?

Reply 10

thunder_chunky

19

The US has a few good idea's as to how to deal with prisoners.

For example that prison camp in the desert where the prisoners basically live in tents.

Reply 11

Doodahdoo

13

Neither, really.

The US is far too punishment- rather than rehabilitation-based, but the UK hasn't really worked out this rehabilitation thing yet - although it does seem to be trying, which is more than can be said for the US.

Reply 12

fire2burn

17

thunder_chunky

The US has a few good idea's as to how to deal with prisoners.

For example that prison camp in the desert where the prisoners basically live in tents.

Maricopa County Jail? The Sheriff Joe Arpaio also makes prisoners wear only the colour pink if I remember the documentary correctly so as to embarrass them when they're out doing community service.

Edit: Found a picture of the uniform, albeit they're also wearing black n white striped trousers too...

Reply 13

ch0c0h01ic

18

Mr Phil

I jsut like it when people get stupid sentances like 874 years. I mean how the hell do they come up with them????

In the US time is served consecutively, in the UK, concurrently.

Mr Phil

I mean they wont last that long. Crazy.

That's the point, it's a life sentence.

fire2burn

Maricopa County Jail? The Sheriff Joe Arpaio also makes prisoners wear only the colour pink if I remember the documentary correctly so as to embarrass them when they're out doing community service.

I heard that it was also because they had a significant problem with people stealing the original white/blue clothing - strangely when it was dyed pink nobody wanted to know.

Reply 14

lordbonney

1

tomfranks7

I agree its unfair to base this on just 2 stories...especially as I specifically searched for 2 stories that most substantiate my argument...but this appears to be a running theme throughout reported cases..in general, sentencing is much tougher in the USA than it is over here.

Shouldnt we be harder on criminals?

It does seem to be, but does that make it any better? Is there any evidence saying that harsh punishment is better for society than lighter punishments coupled with rehabilitation?

Reply 15

thunder_chunky

19

fire2burn

Maricopa County Jail? The Sheriff Joe Arpaio also makes prisoners wear only the colour pink if I remember the documentary correctly so as to embarrass them when they're out doing community service.

Yes I think that is the one I am thinking of.

Anyway pink prisoner uniforms iS the way to go! :yep:

Reply 16

angelrose

tomfranks7

Who does it best, the UK or the USA?

Just saw this story about a copper in the US facing 35 years in jail for having sex with a woman he pulled over, then throwing away her ticket.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1236256/Cop-faces-35-years-prison-having-sex-woman-pulled--throwing-away-tickets.html

Compare that to this story (UK); Man guilty of inciting an under-aged girl to engage in sexual activity escapes with a police caution for his offence; AKA NO JAIL TIME

http://www.theratbook.com/Articles/Article/judges_anger_at_sex_offenders_caution

I mean is there any wonder the UK is getting as messed up as it is?

We could learn a thing or two from the US. LIFE should mean LIFE:

Reply 17

lordbonney

1

angelrose

We could learn a thing or two from the US. LIFE should mean LIFE:

Even if the prisoner manages to completely reform themselves and would go on to become an excellent member of society and contribute, you'd rather still pay to keep them locked up?

Im not saying it shouldnt mean life if they dont, but surely if they reform and would be good society they should be released?

Criminal sentences - USA vs UK

Which country has it right regarding criminal sentencing?

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