Does the Punishment Fit the Crime?
In the News
A couple of days ago I read of a 20 year old man that had illegally climbed the Shard in London. I realise that it was illegal and he knew that and that he put others lives as well as his own in danger. He also caused a lot of disruption but I can't help wondering if putting him in a young offenders institute for 6 months which will impact the rest of his life was the right thing to do. Yes, he definitely needs punishing but could it have been done in a different way? The police chose to caution him but the buildings owners prosecuted. Would a hefty dose of community service been more beneficial to society as a whole and had less of a long term impact on the man. I would be interested to hear what other people think.
Community service for him would be more suitable. At least he didn't stab or throw acid at someone but climb a building albeit dangerous for him and maybe weak for minded/unstable people (copycats).
In this case I do think they were heavy handed. Putting him in a young offenders institution for 6 months is only going to teach him others ways to get into trouble in a way far worse that he has done already.
Personally I think that most sentences don't reflect the crime, but perhaps more of that in another post! 
I believe that the the 6 months stint in the YO Institute won't teach him anything good. Instead, it would have been better for him to have worked alongside all of the services who had their time unnecessarily wasted that day. He would've seen how hard they work and that they still can't cope with the overwhelming call on their services. He stole time from the people in need - he should give back his time.
Yeah...I think he should pay some kind of fee and also do community service. I would put him to a place where he could see other people have bigger issues than to climb the Shard.
I’ll be the odd one out, it’s illegal so he should be punished so I agree with it. Surprised he got anything as they let people off for worse crimes
Hi ukheather it makes a change I'm normally the odd one out 
I just don't think the punishment fits the crime in this case and is likely to have a long term effect on his future. We see the worse kind of criminals getting lesser sentences. I like angemski's idea of making him work with all the agencies that he stole time from or some sort of community service.
Gosh, glad you're not a judge at my trial Heather. I don't think anyone says he shouldn't be punished, but punishment needs to fit the crime and make people see the error of their ways. All young people, especially boys, do silly things when young and it shouldn't follow them around all their life, as a criminal record will.
I believe we are far too soft on crime in this country and you are right, worse crimes get lesser punishment and it is wrong. Violent, nasty people should not walk the streets.
Sadly I think a lot of 20 year olds don't but that's a whole different subject. It's good to hear someone else's opinion though.
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