A 16-year-old youth has been locked up for life with...

Question

And this next bit gets my goat!!!!!!

a minimum term of 12 years...

Life = 12 years...Was my maths teacher bad at her job???

Who agrees LIFE should be removed from this sentence??????

Answer 1

I have to admit that this is an area at which America excells. 158yrs is what I call a life sentence, not 12 measly years. What deterrent is that?

Answer 2

I do!

The sentence should be either for life or for 12 years...we are not living in the Middle Ages anymore, where life expectancy was very short.

This felon will still be quite young when released but maybe not young enough to start a REAL life. He will certainly be marked - psychologically - for life from this experience. 12 years in prison are certainly not the equivalent of a life sentence unless you are already 80 -85 years old when convicted.

Answer 3

I heard this on the radio when i was coming home. Life should mean life not 12 yrs not 20 yrs i'm talking about 50 yrs. They shouldn't even say life because its really life. The boy who did it will only be 28 when he gets out of prison he will still be young.

Answer 4

While I do not advocate these short tariffs for life sentences it should be remembered that every life sentence comes with additional conditions irrespective of the tariff. When a lifer is released they are subject to a life licence which is really for life and they can be recalled to prison at any time for the rest of their life without a trial, this is usually implemented if they are suspected of another offence.

Answer 5

Life should mean life, an eye for an eye

I think the American system is much more adequate than the one we have in the UK

I think the 1st degree and 2nd degree ratings are a great way to seperate the evil from the desperate? (e.g. Wife killing an abusive husband)

Britain is too soft