I always imagined myself as a fairly conservative character but one of the things that surprised me since starting this blog is how I am actually pretty liberal when it comes to a lot of issues.
On the subject of gay marriage and immigration I find myself cringing at some of the views expressed by the right-leaning members of our society.
But there is one issue where I fall fairly and squarely in the conservative camp and that is crime and punishment.
It outrages me that people who commit heinous and sadistic crimes often walk free from jail after a few short years.
Giving violent criminals light sentences sends out the wrong message to broader society.
I think we need to take our cue from the US (it’s not often I say that) and bring in longer, tougher sentences for hardened criminals who commit vile acts and show no remorse.
Take the case last year of Hemel Hempstead’s Grzegorz Lis who battered a baby girl so badly she was left blind, deaf, incontinent and needing care for the rest of her life.
The disgusting thug will spend only 15 years behind bars – the initial sentence was even lower but after much ado was increased by the Court of Appeal.
I can understand the logic in trying to rehabilitate young, first-time offenders. But for others – who have shown themselves to be beyond help – we need to be tougher. I would even welcome the introduction of the death sentence in the cases of serial killers and the like.
I think as a society we need to send out a clear message – there are things we will just not tolerate.
Please let me know your views on this issue.
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