Another prison suicide

So what? you say.

Well this boy was just 15. Why the hell are we locking up 15 year olds? Breach of a supervision order. Oh big deal. Something is very very wrong here. Quite astonishing that we with our supposedly enlightened 2007 western values are locking up 15 year olds for such trivial matters.

Poor Liam

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/l...re/7119646.stm

I've been invited to become a trustee of a charity here in S'bury, called SHARP - Support Help and Advice to Relatives of Prisoners. As the name suggests, offers practical support to rellies of prisoners - advising on benefits, that sort of thing. I'm interested.

[yorkie_chris]

And what did he have the supervision order for?

What if he was a little scroat who was supposed to be under supervision because he'd been burgling peoples houses and mugging old ladies?
I was given a warning a number of years ago, which for the 2 years until it expired meant that any offence was likely to end up going to CPS with the possibilty of court (thats what my brief said at the time anyway), I was VERY careful to stay out of trouble in that time.
For them to prosecute for breaching such an order he would have had to have no respect for the authorities at all.
I think I'd rather find out what he was in for before I get all teary eyed over the massive tragedy, and I'm fairly convinced if I did know the facts I'd think "good riddance"

YC - regardless of what this lad did, and I don't suppose he was a paragon of virtue, don't you think that a 15 year old dead body with a broken neck is a tragedy?

I do.

Perhaps he should have had 40 lashes, and died of heart failure. Then would your view be any different?

[G]

It free up another a prison space.

Having seen what 15 year olds are capable of stealing cars, carrying knifes, killing dads on their own door steps........I'm affraid i have no sympathy, he didnt need to kill himself

[squirrel_hunter]

I understand what you are saying regarding the locking up of a 15 year old for breaching a "Supervision Order", that sounds a little harsh considering the outcome in this case. However if he breached the order and wasn't jailed what further sanctions can be imposed? Surly there would be up roar for "the system failing the victims"?

I would like to see us lock up no children, let alone adults but there has to be some ultimate recourse for someones actions. Limiting the comment to, as in this case children, I feel that more should be done to work with the child and their family to prevent rather than punish.

As for SHARP that does sound worthwhile, prision does not just give the individual a sentance.

I'm sorry to say this is yet again a lot of opinions without all the facts. Poor kid might have been in there for stealing a sweety, or could have been one of the Bulger killers, you just don't know.

Originally Posted by Warthog

I'm sorry to say this is yet again a lot of opinions without all the facts. Poor kid might have been in there for stealing a sweety, or could have been one of the Bulger killers, you just don't know.

The fact is that this lad is dead. Isn't the rest irrelevant?

[yorkie_chris]

Fred Barrass was shot dead at 16

I don't think that was a tragedy

[G]

Originally Posted by Ed

The fact is that this lad is dead. Isn't the rest irrelevant?

Then he shouldnt have killed himself.......that was his choice, no one elses.

Theres only so much people can do.....take away to much and people would be shouting human rights, take away his trousers so he cant hang himself and people will be shouting H&S gone mad.

Making everything else irrelevant like you say, including the fact he was locked up. He chose to kill himself, noone else.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by graemepaterson

He chose to kill himself, noone else.

He also chose to be a complete numpty and ignore a lenient sentence