IF Jack Straw is looking for ways to punish criminals, may I suggest that in cases of vandalism or theft the culprit, regardless of age, be ordered to make full financial restitution?
With modern technology, it is possible to keep track of people throughout their lives and a sign against their National Insurance number could trigger automatic deductions from any source of income until their debt to society is paid.
It is the fact that they know they cannot be effectively punished that is responsible for most juvenile criminals.
The knowledge that they would still have to pay for their misdemeanour when they become adults would, I feel sure, discourage many juvenile delinquents.
L LAWES, Bold Street, Blackburn.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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