Sparing the rod

[Wood~Ant]

The old saying "Spare the rod and spoil the child" seems to be working well in today's modern society, as more young adults and even some children get involved in crime, rioting, mugging and drug taking induced violence

When I was a boy my dad wouldn't think twice about giving a good hiding for my misdemeanours, not that I was naughty very often, as back in the 1950's you knew you'd get a good whalloping if you misbehaved.
My dad, like his father (my grandfather) and my great-grandfather who was a police sergeant in the Cheshire constabulary, all followed very strict discipline laws as they came from Victorian and Edwardian eras, and had passed on such ideas to my dad.
Despite my dad having a foul temper when he was riled, I still hold a lot of respect and deep affection for him, even though he died of cancer back in 2002

I do not believe in abusing children, but since schools stopped using the cane and parents were banned from slapping their kids; and the police no longer behave like the old bobbies who carried sticks and were not afraid to use them, for their own protection as well as everyone elses, what do we get today?
A country where thugs can roam the streets in gangs and bring a reign of terror, even killing people with no fear of being hung for their murder. What has happened to our justice system? It has been castrated by stupid government legislation and ineffective laws

How many kids would take to the streets if they thought they could be shot for rioting? What kind of upbringing are some parents giving, as the young adults we get here on the forum are a nice bunch who behave well and show respect for their peers, which to me indicates their parents are doing a pretty good job of bringing them up; but sadly this does not apply to the "bad apples" that we have seen on the news lately.

I say spare the rod to a point, but if it's needed then bring it out for those who are asking for it, as from what I've seen of the hooded drug taking youths of today, many would benefit from a jolly good thrashing to instill a bit of respect for others into them

[Kyle]

Biggest problem is we are too soft, I mean whats the charge for murder now, 30 years? or 15 if your good, who on earth thought that people (that must have done something wrong to get put in prison in the first place) should then be let out early if they're good, and our country is too concerned with all that human rights stuff, I'm a firm believer of bringing back corporal and capital punishment, if they want to learn, they should learn the hard way, instead of filling up our prisons and wasting our money on them .

OK rant over.

[Honeydewman]

When the doo gooders in the late 1970's - early 1980's successfully removed corporal punishment from schools that began the decline. Next went the Police Officers authority. After that went Parental Authority.

In the whole of my years of schooling I received, justly, corporal punishment twice.
1. Due to my cheek to the Headmaster. I also was soundly thrashed by my Dad.
2. Due to the fact I forgot the safety flame on a Bunson Burner. In the 1980's hairspray was king and a young girl with beautiful hair suddenly had none. The fact the action was not deliberate and the fact I burned myself putting out the flames with my hands saved me from expulsion or Police action.

As a Parent I was once chastised by a woman for giving my Son a crack on his backside for his behaviour. I politely told her I would refrain from discipline and when my Son robbed her of her pension one day she could think back to her comments. I was applauded by a group of Grannies who stopped to watch me defend my actions. I felt that my actions didn't need a defence.

Due to the removal of discipline we have had two generation of people who know nothing of the social boundries. They behave as they see fit without consequence.

All three of my sons learn three lessons:
1. Honesty
2. Obedience
3. Respect
I believe everything else falls into place when these lessons are learned.
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Today I think Prisons are too soft. I know people who have been in them and can confirm they get, Gyms, TV's, Stereos, Pool Tables, Wii's, PS3, Xbox 360 and much more. They see Prison now as an occupational hazard where they have a free holiday.

If I were in charge I would do the following:

1. Life is life or full term sentencing.

2. Hard Labour--Do not work and you do not eat.
2a. Block system where if one man refuses a task all are penalised. Let the Criminals teach each other.

3. Trash a Prison and tough you stay in it whatever the condition.

4. The Prisoner loses his assets to pay towards incarceration.
4a. All owned properties, unless occupied by family, would be automatically handed over for the rental market for a total sentence period plus 5 years post release. All monies raised paid to the treasury.
4b. Second offence within 5 years post release and all property is confiscated. All monies raised paid to the treasury.

5. A 0.5% Prison Tax levied on all future earnings for 15 years post release.

6. Prison cells would have a bed, toilet and sink only.

7. All prisoners lose civil and human rights for their full sentence term.

8. No rights to complain---they put themselves there.

9. Return of Capital Sentence--agreed on by a panel of six Judges.

10. No rights to play games of chance. [Lottery]

11. No rights to privacy.

12. No automatic rights to visits.

13. No rights to vote whilst in Prison or for 5 years post release.

14. All released Prisoners must wear a pink armband for 5 years or face immediate recall to prison.

15. All prisoners must acquire trade skills. No skills no release.

16. All released prisoners will have their photographs and crime details posted on the internet.

I would also introduce an automatic DNA library for all people born from today.
Criminals DNA would be kept for life.
Police would not be scratching their heads if they had a DNA sample but no idea of criminal.

I would also introduce biometric ID cards.
Without the card you could not get:
Employment--Taxation Codes--Medical Care--Benefits.
Anyone who had no card would receive an immediate custodial sentence until their ID was proved.
This would get rid of illeagal immigrants and those who like to live outside of society but claim all the benefits from it.

[TenebrousNova]

If your regime were to be put into immediate effect Honeydewman, I don't think we would have to worry about criminals for a very long time- they'll be too scared to risk the punishment. I know that I would. ;D