Jamie Bulger's Killer

Not sure why this hasn't been discussed yet but I just wondered if any of you felt we, the public, had a right to know what he was sent back to prison for?

Is it any of our business now that he is back inside and can no longer pose any threat to any of us?

I think the public has every right to know. I don't think they should have ever been released in the first place. Some people are plain evil, very few admittedly but there are certain cases when 'evil' is the only way to descibe a person and it certainly applied in the case of those two monsters.

I heard the first logical argument for disclosing his crimes this evening. With all due respect the opinions stated here so far are just emotionally charged reactions to the reminder of the crime he committed. That's not to say they aren't valid thoughts and opinions but just not what I would call a solid reason for us to be informed.

The argument I heard was that we should always be aware of why people are getting locked up because if we aren't then the system is wide open to abuse. If those that make these decisions are aware that the public will have the chance to scrutinise their judgement then it is much less likely that the individuals personal feelings will affect a verdict.

Does that make sense?

Once he's charged, taken to court, legally & fairly tried & sentenced, then we will know. Before that there's no reason why we should know what he has been "Accused" of. It's an accusation & in this country everyone is innocent until proven guilty regardless of what they have been proven guilty of in the past.

He committed a crime many years ago. He served his time (Although I think it should've been longer) so that's that done & dusted. If he's found guilty of whatever he's been accused of this time then we'll hear about it & talk about it. Shouldn't be released before in my opinion.

Tytonidae wrote:Well I don't think there is any right 'to know'at this stage for the public or James' parents and I agree with Straws statement.

I didn't fully understand your comment LP;our option to scrutinise decisions can come later, after trial or whatever but why is our keeping a check on our decision makers dependent on us knowing 'now'?

Don't get me wrong Ty, I don't think we should know. That was just the only reasonable argument for disclosure that I'd heard.

I don't think it's anyones business except the people involved in his case.

But if he has been arrested and returned to prison then our justice system is working. He served his time and made bail, he broke bail conditions and went back to jail. How does knowing what he did make any difference to you or I?

Be careful you don't confuse your right to know with your natural curiosity.

I see your point YTB, although I happen to believe that rehabilitation can work. I still don't think that the general public is in any way qualified to decide on the fate of offenders though. You only need to look through our history to see that en masse we are a stupid and retaliatory group of people who will mostly go with the crowd as it's in our own personal best interests. Remember hearing about the witch trials? This is the sort of behaviour that I would be keen to avoid, and don't tell me that this wouldn't happen today because you know damn well that it would.

You're right about prison life being a cushy alternative to some people, I've never understood the logic behind that one either.

How's the system not working. He was given a chance to prove that he's changed, he fluffed it & is now back inside. Everyone deserves a second chance & I'm pretty sure he's not back inside for the torture & Murder of a young child as that would be big news.............

Rehabilitation is a separate thread on it's own I think, I take your point there YTB that there are some that are beyond rehab but you cannot use black and white rules for the human condition. If rehab works in only 10% of offenders then isn't that worth our efforts? It's hard to be understanding when looking at a case like Ian Huntley but what about a young lad who constantly shoplifts for the buzz of it? Can he not be saved?

Scratch that thought, answer it here:

https://frognbones.forumotion.net/ty-s-bogged-down-f7/rehabilitation-for-criminals-t516.htm#54524

Just saw on the news that "Apparently" he's been charged with downloading & distributing indecent images

More to come when I see the rest of the report.............

Well, I'm sure you've all read or seen the news now.........

If he's found guilty....... well.......

Who would be to blame.....??

Bugger! What a total prick!

Still doesn't change my argument here but I can see how it may strengthen the opposition.

I think the main problem is that the 2 crimes are related, even if only loosely. In this case it seems the system f**ked up royally.......

Yes, that is clearly the case.

Sooooooooooooooo that means that everyone who said he shouldn't be let out were right weren't they? Or were they still wrong but have now had their unfounded prejudice unexpectedly vindicated? (4 big words in a row, I'm on fire!!)

Well, their prejudice has been unexpectedly vindicated; however, he had to be given a second chance for it to be vindicated, so no, they were incorrect in their original analysis that he should've remained incarcerated in my opinion.

That what I thought. So how could this have been prevented whilst upholding a fair system?

Exactly It simply couldn't of been prevented with a fair system, but at the same time you could say that whatever "Rehabilitation" was given to venebles as a youngster didn't work. It could also be argued that this crime is a direct result of his incarceration...........

It's a tough one, how can you tell if someone is really rehabilitated? Everyone can lie and some are better than others. Hiding your true self for the benefit of authority figures is something we've all done since school so I just don't see how you can be sure.

Would have expected him to be under tighter surveillance upon his release though, if only for his own safety given public opinion of him.

True, there's no real way of telling really

I thought he was gonna be under a strict watch as well. It's quite shocking that he was able to do this for pretty much a whole year before being nabbed....