Life Sentences = Life?

[kel_VK_Calais]

Ok, so I've noticed we've had a couple of touchy subjects on the threads lately, and this one isn't as touchy ( but maybe to some, who knows), but I was interested in people's opinions on Life Sentences in prison.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong (which I'm sure would happen anyway! ) but as far as I know, Australia's life term is not literally life. Can't parole be applied for after something like 25 years? What's the point? And also, what crime/s deserve a life sentence, in your opinion? Do the Bali Nine deserve to be where they are right now - literally for life?

Views on this, anyone??

[MikeVXSS]

i think murderers and child molesters should get life. they take a life so theirs should be taken from them, drug carriers???? ummmmm in ways they take lives too, heroin fu*ks people for life as does all class a's but i dont think life in prison should be given, but then you look at those who O/D who do you blame??? the person who cooked it?, the person who cut it wrong?, the person who bought it to sell it??, or the user who pinged a bit too much. thats a hard one. i dont know how wrong i am in thinking this but i beleive its up to the person who uses wether they chose to fu*k their lives. no amount of police, fbi, cia, kkk will stop them using. as for weed i cant smoke no more cause of my job, but i dont see how it should be a jailable offence, buzz only lasts an hour max depending on how good it is n ya dont go skitzo an try n kill people for a joint. just my own opinon on weed.

GO TIMMY GO

[Shifty1]

life sentence should be that.. LIFE

You do the crime, you do the time..

[pandaman]

Doesn't seem to make a lot of sense does it. As far as I know a standard life sentence (in NSW anyway) has a maximum term of 20 years, now thats pretty rooted. I remember hearing something a while back about a law being passed meaning that in certain extreme cases (including every backpackers best mate, mr. milat) life would mean exactly that, the term of their natural life. A good move IMHO.

[Pretender]

In Australia life can mean as little as seven years with parole being granted so the term is misleading, as we all know.
Courts can impose a sentence of "never to be released" or say 25 years minimum with release after that at the Governors discretion. Not imposed often or enough.
It is a messed up system.
The Bali Nine? Well, very harsh but unfortunately it is the law of another country. I don't agree with it but I can see the other side as well. I just feel for them all and their families.

[Tasmaniak]

The biggest issue I have with especially like what Mike said in regards to Child molesterers getting life is....What if they are innocent?

[vztrt]

The biggest issue I have with especially like what Mike said in regards to Child molesters getting life is....What if they are innocent?

That's why the death penalty doesn't exist in this country. You can still appeal to get out if you get life.
I think when the judge set a sentence it between, so you get 25 to life. I think if life is set than that's what the sentence will be life.

[minux]

I think if pedophiles, drug mules, drug leaders(heroin, cocaine or anything in larg quantities) if they are found guilty with evidence beyond doubt, just shoot them, saves a drain on my tax dollars. Could go to better causes like education and hospitals.

[kel_VK_Calais]

Some interesting points have been made. In my opinion, Life Sentences should not be imposed if they're not going to be followed through, is it just a scare tactic? Murder, molesters, rapists and terrorists in my book should be given 'Life' - at least 50 years. The drug thing, now I'm undecided about that... I understand that the heroin inteneded for our shores was enough to make 1800 potential users victims, but I've known both sides. My sis was an addict for years blah blah blah, and one of my good friends has her brother in a bali prison right now for trying to provide to people who are just like my sister was, he's one of the Bali 9. So, on the one hand, I hate the stuff and what it does to users, their kids, their families etc and do agree that trafficking of such huge quantities and with such precise planning should be punishable, but not neccessarily with death. I am now seeing the other side of the story with my friend, who is absolutely devestated to whast has happened to her brother and what will become of their lives....

I dunno people, I can see both sides to most things in life, but I guess sentences should be based on personal history, not statistical history for that crime....blah, i'm just ranting now....there's my two cents anyway.

[bommodore]

i only have two things to add firstly a life sentence should mean you spend the rest of your days behind bars no release, secondly asian drug laws are not a secret if you get caught you can expect a very long term at least

[kel_VK_Calais]

i only have two things to add firstly a life sentence should mean you spend the rest of your days behind bars no release, secondly asian drug laws are not a secret if you get caught you can expect a very long term at least

I agree. I\m just a bit torn on which way to think about things...on one hand i have sympathy for the families of the bali 9, but on the other hand, it was a pretty stupid thing to attempt to do. Interesting topic anyway.

[MikeVXSS]

The biggest issue I have with especially like what Mike said in regards to Child molesterers getting life is....What if they are innocent?

yea im in that opinion too and think it needs to be VERY hard evidence to give life in that sitch i spose, well in any life term sitch evidence needs to be very strong.

[kel_VK_Calais]

exactly...people aren't going to be put way for life unless there's hard evidence against them. Yes, in rare cases this has occured.

[minux]

I agree. I\m just a bit torn on which way to think about things...on one hand i have sympathy for the families of the bali 9, but on the other hand, it was a pretty stupid thing to attempt to do. Interesting topic anyway.

I dont have sympathy for the families, i do however feel sorry that their child/husband/wife etc has doen this to their family. I still dont get why these people commit such stupid crimes in countries that despise drugs and more so foreigners and drugs. Its plain stupidity.

[vlv8vic]

I dont have sympathy for the families, i do however feel sorry that their child/husband/wife etc has doen this to their family. I still dont get why these people commit such stupid crimes in countries that despise drugs and more so foreigners and drugs. Its plain stupidity.

tend to agree with that. i was brought up in a way that i know about drugs, may have expereinced drugs but was educated enough that i didnt get into them or anything stupid.
There is a major study going at the moment about "generational poverty and the effects"
eg, the same families will always be in government homes, their kids, grandkids etc will do the same. It is similar with drugs and education of such. generational inclinations play a huge part, hence the reason i dont take the family sooking and whining for sympathy.
Look at Shappel, he parents, brother (and sister?) have all had drug related incidents....

[vt1538]

Any sentence that is given out should be harsh enough to stop the person from re offending. Unfortunately the only sentence guarunteed of preventing another offence is the death penalty.
Seriously though unless the courts are going to use the life is life verdict it is a waste of time.

[vztrt]

Any sentence that is given out should be harsh enough to stop the person from re offending. Unfortunately the only sentence guarunteed of preventing another offence is the death penalty.

It obviously works in the states.

[sixshooter]

I think just adopt an eye for an eye policy...

If it can be proven that a person is guilty beyond doubt, then why waste the tax payers money with keeping them in prison ?

Murderers should be executed...

Thieve's should have their hands severed...

Sexual criminals should be castrated/ newtered...

Racist haters & Religious zealots should be abandoned on a deserted island to sort their shit out among themselves...

just my 2c

[minux]

I think just adopt an eye for an eye policy...

If it can be proven that a person is guilty beyond doubt, then why waste the tax payers money with keeping them in prison ?

Murderers should be executed...

Thieve's should have their hands severed...

Sexual criminals should be castrated/ newtered...

Racist haters & Religious zealots should be abandoned on a deserted island to sort their shit out among themselves...

just my 2c

You realise the island would only be full of white people?

How many colored people do you see charged with hate crimes?

Only white people are racist, only colored people can say things about us and its called hatred, not racism.

But i agree completly

[gocommygo]

i think instead of life they should go through themselves what they did to the other person, or get tortured or something, jail is a waste of our tax dosh, keeping scum fed and clothed... wtf?

[TheForgotten]

You realise the island would only be full of white people?

How many colored people do you see charged with hate crimes?

Only white people are racist, only colored people can say things about us and its called hatred, not racism.

But i agree completly

unfortunately that is completely true. I am not a racist person, and I despise them, but I was picked on by a trio of tongan brothers who hate white people, and they're not considered racist, they're a minority. that's BS

[vt1538]

If a white man has a tatt that says white power it is called racial hatred.
If a black man has a tatt that says black power it is called racial pride.
I dont consider myself a rascist but sometimes when a certain group of individuals act a certain way you cant help but group them together as the problem. Either by race, age or even religion.

[Tasmaniak]

shut down FTWx100000