Should someone who has done their time

be allowed to pick up where they left off as if nothing has happened?

A friends brother in law is due for parol soon after commiting a rather violent crime. Although my friends sister is positive he has been reformed and has shown nothing but remorse, do you think it is possible to change and should someone who has commited a violent act even be allowed the chance?

Just pondering. I know everyone makes mistakes, but if something if premeditated, and the person knows what they are doing, should parole ever be granted?

Not sure I can answer that Mish. Depends on the circumstances, the crime itself, damned if I know. I personally don't think pedofiles should ever be let out but that's just my personal opinion.

Each circumstance should be looked at differently. Some honestly do reform whilst doing their time and deserve another chance. Others I'd keep locked up never to see daylight ever again.

Depends on the crime but if they are truly sorry then they should be given another chance. Not sure I'd feel the same way though if the crime was commited against my family or myself. Anyone else got barbed wire stuck in their arse from fence sitting?

Gees I'm not sure I'm the right person to be weighing into this debate. Someone I know and care about will more than likely see out the rest of their life behind prison bars, and although I do not approve of the actions he took, I do understand them.

It's not my place to go splashing his business all over a public forum board but I will just say that I think it's not only a matter of what the crime was, but the catalyst behind it.

As a parent, if someone intentionally tried to harm my kids I wouldn't like to say how far I'd go to protect them.

If it's a violent crime I don't believe they can ever be reformed.

Got to say I'm one of these people that would quite happily throw away the keys on someone who has commited a violent crime but I and alot of the others on here personally know the person of who Benj speaks and know the circumstances surrounding it and it does change your entire perspective. Bad things happen to good people, and sometimes good people are put in a position where they have to do something out of character to protect someone they love.

Not disagreeing with you Lacy but think sweeping generalisations ain't the way to go. Take each case and treat it individually.

I can agree with that, but if the crime is something like manslaughter or murder I still think they should be locked up for the rest of their lives. The victim and the family of the victim have a life sentence, so should they.

And he's quite prepared to spend the rest of his life behind bars for what he did Lacy. He gave up his life, his freedom to protect and save a family member. It's a touchy subject for some of us so yeah best I leave it at that.

Then you put your faith in the justice system and don't take matters into your own hands. Sorry, not trying to cause any trouble here but that's why we have a judicial system after all.

And that same justice system failed his family and thus enabled history to repeat itself with dire consequences. Like Benj I don't approve of the crime either but I got to tell you, if I had of been in his shoes and it was my sister, hell yeah I'd have taken a very similar course of action.

Can we just agree that our justice system isn't perfect and leave it at that thanks.

Sorry guys, thread wasn't posted to start controversy.

No need for apologies Mish. I don't think anyone here approves of violent crimes, and especially those that don't have any rhyme nor reason behind them. But some of us do know Eric and know the circumstances leading up to it and the way the court system screwed up monumentally and although none of us support the crime he commited we do support him and understand the reason behind it.

Sorry if that sounds cryptic but it's not my business to be gossiping about a mate. You and Lacy said nothing wrong. We're just saying that sometimes you need to look at what led up to the crime as well as the crime to get the whole picture is all.