The Simon Levy case proves some criminals can never be rehabilitated
Prisons aren’t meant to punish or rehabilitate, they’re meant to keep dangerous, evil people away from the rest of us, says Tom Harwood How many times must a violent sexual predator be arrested, released, arrested, imprisoned, released, re-imprisoned, released, arrested and investigated for murder, released, and re-arrested again before we start to think that this [...]
The Simon Levy case demonstrates that some individuals are beyond rehabilitation, argues Tom Harwood. Over and over again, this violent predator has been arrested, released, imprisoned, released, and re-arrested for murder and sexual assault. It's time to recognize that our criminal justice system fails when it repeatedly releases dangerous criminals back into society.
Prisons are meant to keep such individuals isolated from the public, not to punish or rehabilitate them. Prison effectively serves this purpose when it keeps dangerous people away. However, society has become too hesitant to use prisons for their intended purpose. The English homicide rate has significantly decreased over time due to the state asserting its monopoly on violence and imposing consequences for wrongdoing.
A small percentage of the population, including violent offenders, should remain separated from society. Squeamishness about permanently incapacitating dangerous individuals is hindering our ability to maintain public safety. The Simon Levy case highlights the urgent need to reevaluate the purpose of our criminal justice system and prioritize incapacitating the truly dangerous.
Written by urgent.news from City AM's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
