Sunday, September 20, 2009

Weird but true

Did you know, the murder rate amongst convicted murderers is lower than the murder rate amongst the general population?

10 comments:

  1. Is that the rate after release? Harder to kill someone inside, one presumes.

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  2. Prisoners are not well supervised, half a dozen staff for a wing of a hundred men. It is easy to kill, should one be inclined. Ask Robert Maudsley! I suspect the point here is that murder is overwhelmingly a 'one off' crime. Perhaps jailhouselawyer could pitch in here?

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  3. Perhaps they have got it out of their system?

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  4. Usually the killing is a one off, and there is less than 3% of serious re-offending upon release compared with over 60% for adults and 80% of young offenders.

    And, at least 3 times more people are killed by drivers than those who commit murder or manslaughter.

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  5. I don't know... but i'd like to think that commiting a murder - and having to live with the consequences - would be one of the best deterrents!?

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  6. Hello Ben
    just to say I enjoyed your article in the above newspaper and thought you made some very important points. in particular your comments on the lack of any real informed debate on penal issues. even in academia there is a dearth of actual prisoners voices and experiences. you are also spot on re the prison system and crime as a reflection of larger society. As an acaemic from a 'non-traditional' background I have many friends who have been and still are in the prison system so if i can be of any help in getting your views heard just let me know
    take care and keep writing
    Craig

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  7. Unlawful killing within a relationship is an unfortunate fact of life. It is unaffected by penalties such as the death sentence. While the national rate is low, particular offences can often be related to stress factors that may be beyond individual control. In some aspects the disastrous outcome might appear as bad luck or be due to a loss of judgment that was unusual even for the offender. Lifers in this category, who would not have killed once had they retained their perspective, will be most unlikely to repeat the offence after they have reflected on the matter for a few years in prison. Where a loss of judgment can be linked to taking drink or drugs, there is an obvious need for treatment and re-education after which, one hopes, normality will prevail. Most lifers do not wish to kill.

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  8. One thing I do know Ben is that when a child goes missing sooner or later we find the parents are involved. Some ,with friends in high places are still walking the streets.

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  9. Murder rate amongst murderers is almost 100%.

    Similarly like close to 100% of apples are apples.

    Difficult, huh?

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  10. Anon, you are confusing the murder rate OF murderers with the murder rate BETWEEN murderers.

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