This doesn't sound unthinkable in other countries. I'm from Norway, where the maximum prison sentence is 21 years, with a third of that often being deducted for good behavior, leaving 14 years.
I live in Norway, though not Norwegian. From what I can tell it already generates a lot of debate. The sentencing seems to generate debate when someone does any sort of heinous crime. At the same time, folks seem rather proud of the system itself.
And I think folks should be. I'm American, the land of petty imprisonments and punishments lasting long after prison time is served. The system here seems to produce much better outcomes for both the people imprisoned and the community around them.
Should a killer get released after 14 years though, after "good behavior"? If we're talking about premeditated murder, you can be pretty sure you're dealing with an individual who doesn't have good behavior.
Second, 14 (or 21) years for murder, really? A life isn't worth a lot anymore these days..
Prison sentences in the Netherlands for aren't imposed as punishment alone, not even mostly. They are primarily tools of prevention (including the prevention of recidivism). If a convicted criminal is no longer considered to be a threat to society what's the point of keeping them locked up? If longer sentences (longer than whatever they are) have not shown to reduce the crime rate through deterrent, why impose them?
In the Netherlands, 20 years (with early release after 13-14 years) used to be the maximum sentence, apart from life sentence, which actually used to be really for life. Parole is possible, but seldom used; release for good behaviour (after a certain minimum number of years) was not possible at all. The European Court for Human Rights actually recently forced us to implement an early release possibility. I think a few years ago we also got a 30 year option (with early release after 20), because judges weren't willing to impose a life sentence due to the aforementioned reason.
Also, 14/21 years is about 20-25% of one's life. I think that's quite a lot, really.
Seems you're the one who isn't giving much value to the prisoner's life here.
If rehabilitation can't be accomplished in 14 years, it won't be accomplished in 20 or 30 either so what's the point of keeping them inside an arbitrary number of years after that?
edit: I just noticed you referred to imprisonment as punishment on another thread; that's where we differ in belief.
martijn_himself|9 years ago
Broken_Hippo|9 years ago
And I think folks should be. I'm American, the land of petty imprisonments and punishments lasting long after prison time is served. The system here seems to produce much better outcomes for both the people imprisoned and the community around them.
charlesdm|9 years ago
Second, 14 (or 21) years for murder, really? A life isn't worth a lot anymore these days..
ordinary|9 years ago
Prisons cost money.
gpvos|9 years ago
Also, 14/21 years is about 20-25% of one's life. I think that's quite a lot, really.
lagadu|9 years ago
Seems you're the one who isn't giving much value to the prisoner's life here.
If rehabilitation can't be accomplished in 14 years, it won't be accomplished in 20 or 30 either so what's the point of keeping them inside an arbitrary number of years after that?
edit: I just noticed you referred to imprisonment as punishment on another thread; that's where we differ in belief.
michaelt|9 years ago