Response 424600164

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Approach to the guideline

1. Do you agree or disagree that that a principle-based approach to the guideline is the right approach?

Please select one item
Agree
Disagree
Please provide any reasons for your answer:
I believe there are so many programme to reduce offending, but we have to consider this does not work for all. I do not want to be assaulted by anyone, especially not someone who has been put on a behaviour plan or alternative to custody. We have to recognise some people are dangerous, I do not want myself or my wife to be a victim because of new approaches to limit people going to jail.

Applicability

2. Do you agree or disagree that the guideline should apply to people under the age of 25?

Please select one item
Agree
Disagree
Please provide any reasons for your answer:
A great many violent offences are done by under 25's. Murder, robbery, serious assault. Yes they are less mature ( perhaps they don't have children or any responsibility in their life or consequences) and go out taking drink, drugs and commiting offences. I want to be protected from offenders.

Applicability - Other age

3. If you disagree that the guideline should apply to people under the age of 25, at what age should the guideline cease to apply?

Please enter your response in whole numbers
18
Please provide any reasons for your answer:
I believe 18 years of age would be more beneficial.

Principles and purposes of sentencing a young person

4. Do you agree or disagree that the relationship between this guideline and the ‘Principles and purposes of sentencing’ guideline is set out clearly?

Please select one item
Agree
Disagree

5. Do you agree or disagree that paragraph 7 of the guideline gives enough information about the factors that should be taken into account when sentencing a young person?

Please select one item
Agree
Disagree

7. Do you agree or disagree that rehabilitation should be given greater emphasis than other purposes of sentencing in this guideline?

Please select one item
Agree
Disagree

8. Do you agree or disagree that rehabilitation should be a primary consideration when sentencing a young person?

Please select one item
Agree
Disagree
Please provide any reasons for your answer:
I agree we must try to transform someone from a criminal to a member of the public, but we must be aware some people are given multiple bails/chances/deferred sentences yet still commit crime.

9. Which, if any, other purposes of sentencing should be emphasised in this guideline?

Please provide any other purposes and any reasons for your answer:
Too many time we hear of people being released from prison earlier, on licence, on bail, on deferred sentences going on to commit crimes as serious as murder. I also seen the news week of 20th Feb thereabouts, ministers are still pushing for a presumption of no sentences of less than 6 months or 12 months being passed. For instance the male with a HDC in the Paisley area who had a recall to prison and murdered someone. In my personal view, far too often too many rights of prisoners, are put before the tax paying public. Once again, I stress how many people are becoming victims from people on early release, licence, community service and do not adhere to conditions.

Assessment of seriousness

10. Is the section on the assessment of seriousness helpful?

Please select one item
Yes
No

Identifying the most appropriate sentence

11. Do you agree or disagree that paragraph 13 of the guideline identifies the information which is of most relevance to sentencing a young person?

Please select one item
Agree
Disagree

12. Do you agree or disagree with paragraph 14 of the guideline stating that cases should be referred to a children’s hearing for advice where it is competent to do so?

Please select one item
Agree
Disagree

13. Do you agree or disagree with the proposed features of an appropriate sentence for a young person set out at paragraph 15 of the guideline?

Please select one item
Agree
Disagree
Please provide any reasons for your answer:
There must be more emphasis on protecting the public

14. Do you agree or disagree that the approach set out in paragraphs 17 and 18 of the guideline is appropriate?

Please select one item
Agree
Disagree
Please provide any reasons for your answer:
I do not agree that age should be a factor in sentencing. Organised crime groups may exploit this loophole to have "older children" acting in criminality.

15. Do you agree or disagree that judges should consider remitting each case to a children’s hearing for disposal, where it is competent to do so?

Please select one item
Agree
Disagree

Potential impacts of the guideline

16. Do you think the guideline will influence sentencing practice in Scotland?

Please select one item
Yes
No

17. Do you agree or disagree that the guideline will increase public understanding of how sentencing decisions in respect of young people are made?

Please select one item
Agree
Disagree
Please provide any reasons for your answer:
There is a great many people in the wider public that do not understand sentences. I think the narrow view from academics does not reflect with the public feeling protected.,

18. Do you agree or disagree that the guideline will increase public confidence in the sentencing of young people?

Please select one item
Agree
Disagree

19. Do you agree or disagree with the assessment of the specific, identified impacts the guideline is expected to have?

Please select one item
Agree
Disagree

Respondent information

23. Are you responding as an individual or an organisation?

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(Required)
Individual
Organisation

30. The Scottish Sentencing Council would like your permission to publish your consultation response. Please indicate your preference:

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(Required)
Publish response with name
Publish response only (without name)
Do not publish response