Nails said:
Yes, I guess it is all a little over romantic. Perfect Guardian material where all evils are explained by a horrible upbringing. Trouble is that despite having an innate disdain for the smug self-righteousness of Guardian readers, I also am one. I find myself torn between thinking Leopards don't change their spots and loving the idea of the possibility of redemption. Whichever way you lean I think that Erwin James' writing is sufficiently good that he's worth exploring a little. I've bought one of his books, but only on Kindle.
And we’re currently going through the trauma of parole hearings, threats and intimidation by the family of the man who murdered the father of two of my children. My partner reading her own and the children’s victim impact statements at the hearing almost broke her (last Thursday).
Fortunately ( and I really mean that) the hearing was was adjourned part way through, as the “gentleman “ has a list as long as my arm of violent and drug related offences committed in jail (as recently as two weeks ago) and the board “wish to consider” this.
Unfortunately, (incomprehensibly) she now has to go through it all again in May.
Even if he is returned to Cat B (he lasted less than a day in Cat C, and yet was still allowed before the board) in May, the pantomime will be repeated in a year, then again, ad infinitum, until the victims tire of the stress and the system can dump him back into society.
The lead warder for his current wing, testified that he “was not responding well to confinement” and should be “ tested in the community” in one breath and then confirmed he had “ seriously assaulted” a member of staff only a few weeks ago, in the next.
So, colour me sceptical with a hint of jaded.
