Monday, April 28, 2003

Victims decide fate of killers? Northern Territory Gov't

Love the Sinner - Hate the Sin

The families of murder victims could be asked if they think the killer should be released in a report being prepared by the NT Government Northern Territory News 12 April 03.


The victim's statement would be taken when the murderer became eligible for parole after serving 20 years in jail.

But that means the victims will want to bring other issues into the matter 20 years later which is not fair. This is retribution and that is not why people are sent to prison according to Justice John Nagle in his 1978 report on the Royal Commission on NSW Prisons.

The prisoner is taken out of the community not for punishment but as punishment. Not retribution. Retribution does not come into the formula.

All that is lost is liberty according to the Nagle Royal Commission.

After a letter was written to GKCNN by a concerned resident Meg from NT she has raised the matter and wants to speak to the N.T. government's Minister for Justice, Dr Peter Toyne and this is one way she can.

She said, "We are a concerned group of people who would like to see mandatory life sentencing for murder abolished."

"Discretion must be returned to the judges. If you have a loved one, family member, friend who would like to join this delegation contact Justice Action and we will pass the message on."

Included in her letter to us she listed a range of reasons and history.

"Mandatory sentencing for murder was introduced by Shane Stone and the CLP on a get tough on crime agenda in 1991. As a consequence the ALP has inherited this policy, in October of 2001 shortly after they were elected the ALP announced a review of this policy . Today we still don't know what is going on about this."

"I believe that MLS for murder takes the justice out of the hands of the judges and juries of the Northern Territory and I believe that it is wrong that a sentence is decided before the trial is over. Like mandatory sentencing for property crime this policy takes away the real power of the justice system in our land. "

"Politicians are the judges and the juries up here at the moment."

"I am hoping of getting a positive change here the NT regards to this current situation. I am appealing to you because there are so many aboriginal people affected by this policy. Now is the time that if we get together we might be able to make a difference." Meg said.

Northern Territory News has reported the history of mandatory sentencing 19 October 01, "NT jail law appeals tipped after vote." 5, December 01, "Murderer to face another year's jail" June 6, 02 "Split over freeing killers." 7 June 02, "Writing on prison wall".

Perhaps NT leaders could temper the law and order debate like Premier Bob Carr, the NSW Premier who now calls for a fresh approach.

New South Wales Premier Bob Carr wants politicians to temper the law and order debate and consider new ways to rehabilitate offenders.

Carr says the law and order bidding war that dominated the recent state election campaign is not constructive.

He made the comments while visiting a rehabilitation centre for female inmates [prisoners] in Sydney's west, which has slashed the rate of repeat offenders.

The Parramatta Transitional Centre provides life skills for about 20 women to help them prepare for life away from jail.

Carr says there needs to be a shift in thinking on law and order issues.

"I just think the community is ready for a fresher approach that says if you put resources into rehabilitation like this, you're going to get less reoffending, less crime and safer communities.," he said.

By Gregory Kable 28 April 03

THE NUN: learning forgiveness is a challenge that we all need to focus on in order to balance on that big round ball we call earth and that little round ball in our stomach. Because without forgiveness you suffer no matter who or what it is about. Gandhi said, "if it was an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth there would be allot of blind, toothless people in the world."

It was the sin that hurt you not the sinner. Why? Because people only learn from trial and error and will always make mistakes. Further, society cannot be built without trial and error. Do you want a society? A human being is not infallible. Hence forgiveness. So you can choose to love the sinner and hate the sin. People are not dogmatic nor are they disposable. In fact a human being is priceless and unique and ought to be granted further opportunities to prove it, even after they have made a mistake. If you choose retribution forgiveness becomes difficult and cancer may set in and do your head in, even after the prisoner has learnt from the mistake and moved on....


Related:

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Corrections Victoria and criminal acts: SCS-4\320 UPDATE
You have stated "Section 30 of the Corrections Act 1986 and the Information Privacy Act 2000, restricts the release of confidential information regarding prisoners, I therefore am unable to provide any information regarding this matter."

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The Government is likely to abolish the Inspector General of Corrective Services position The Mulawa inspection report recommendations below strictly illustrate how important he is.