In the recent past we have witnessed a rash of arson attacks, mainly of the business sector.
However, we have also been sadly reminded of the consequences of such attacks – the death of a Father and his Daughter in Biggenden, victims of this form of crime.
We have often read a judicial summary where the Judge states this is a crime of the most serious nature.
Then we hear about a smack on the back of the hand for this most heinous criminal.
Unfortunately the Judicial system does not reflected the communities’ expectations.
Judges and Magistrates need to be reminded of their duty in the scheme of things when sentencing these criminals.
The juvenile criminal needs to be made aware of how their continued offending will only result in an environment they may not like.
Rehabilitation does not work.
I worked in Correctional Services in Arnhem Land, for nearly 20 years and never witnessed one rehabilitated criminal.
The politicians pontificate about how they will change things.
But nothing happens.
They also complain about the cost of housing a sentenced criminal.
Possibly the removal of some of the expensive rehabilitation programs may have cost saving as well as a salutary effect.
The sentence hard labour should mean hard labour, stop the lounging around, keep them busy and unsettled.
Maybe politicians need to have a good look at how these offenders are housed – three meals a day, clean clothes, somewhere to sleep, free medical and dental and other luxuries some people only dream about.
Prison needs to be made so uncomfortable that criminals do not want to return.
It does not need to be 1800’s style incarceration but it needs to be uncomfortable.
The community expects to be safe in their home.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
– L. Pethick
Gympie
