Time to examine crime and punishment

I commend the article on the harm done to women and children by imprisonment (Denham Sadler, “Dare to reprieve”, April 6–12). We live in a punitive world. I believe it is past time to review the theory and practice in criminal justice while the profound questions at the core of the concepts of crime and punishment go unasked and evidence relating to incarceration is largely unexamined. I speak of both men and women. One year in prison is a severe punishment. Twenty or more is soul-destroying, futile, wasteful and expensive. Is there evidence that 40 years is more of a deterrent than 20? Do we want redemption or retribution? Is there an obligation to restore the wrongdoer to an accepted place in society as soon as possible? Surely the enormous cost of imprisonment could be better spent in an environment where efforts are made to turn lives around, so that time in detention is used to learn life skills and an understanding of the human rights of every victim of crime. No expense should be spared to find those best able to work with damaged people and to decide when or if they can be released back into society. I believe we also need much better training and selection of police and prison personnel. Can we learn anything from past thinkers on this subject? Nelson Mandela lived a life of forgiveness, Victor Hugo wrote the tale of the bishop’s candlesticks, and Jesus Christ wanted redemption for all and chose the company of “sinners” over that of the self-righteous.

– Julie Pawsey, Coromandel Valley, SA