Don’t over-react
There seems to be a feeling abroad if only our laws were tough enough then we wouldn’t have horrendous crimes such as were detailed in recent trials.
“Bring back hanging. Bring back the lash. Lock them up and throw away the key.”
The trouble with the revenge mind set is that revenge begets revenge. Revenge is not looking for means to re-direct those who use crime as a means of attaining their wants, whether economic or carnal.
“If they commit crimes, get rid of them, or at least teach them a lesson they’ll never forget,” we are told.
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There are people, on the other hand, who believe there is good in all of us and if we are properly counselled and supported we can be switched to the path of sweetness and clean living.
Police will tell you that they quickly discovered they weren’t always dealing with poverty-stricken folks who stole to feed their families. Some of those in the crime business were well-educated, middle class people who got a charge out of manipulating other people, including the police.
If caught, they knew all the right things to say to convince judges and others that really this dabbling in crime was a lapse that wouldn’t be repeated.
We’ll not end crime by bludgeoning it out of people, nor will we end it by providing a few courses in the advantages of honesty and fair play.
We need to be realistic and develop a comprehensive program to deal with crime, one that involves all of us. We should not force our government to pass ill-considered punitive laws as a reaction to horrifying crimes by a few individuals.
