The inability of (or refusal by) so many of those convicted by UK courts to pay fines is a huge problem. Magistrates fail to apply any meaningful punishments as a result. So many are jobless, and regard unpaid community work as no more than a mild nuisance that interferes so nominally with their indolent lifestyles. The prisons are overcrowded which removes that option, and in any case, punishes the rest of the taxpaying population more than the criminal! The consequence of no effective punishment is that there is no effective discouragement for the convicted NOT to reoffend, whatever the crime.
The lame liberals find any excuse to mitigate the criminals' behaviour, while watching crime rates escalate. The thought of imposing harsh (as in effective) sentences is, to them, an anathema. The crime was probably committed due to their nursing mother's left nipple being blocked or some such nonsense. Can we sympathise with those from broken homes? Yes, of course, but not at a price of excusing criminal or anti-social behaviour.
So what is the solution? Did transportation to Australia cure those who stole a loaf? Probably not. What would deter people from starting on a life of crime then? If they are caught committing their first ever crime, should we simply "let them off" with a warning (aka a conditional discharge or probation) or should the punishment (NOT some wishy-washy rehabilitation!!!) be difficult enough to handle by them while not preventing them from seeking/carrying out active and legal employment?
Maybe a harsh daily curfew with reporting requirements would be more effective (and paid for through cost savings made by the lower cost of management than imprisonment or freedom to offend again would incur.) Anything used in committing the crime should be confiscated and sold to mitigate costs and or paid as compensation to victims.
The arguments against meaningful financial penalties or confiscation here are mainly the unaffordability of higher fines, and the need for transport for work. No one said that fines for crimes committed should ever be "affordable" though - they are supposed to be a fitting punishment, not an accessory for life such as a tv, jewellery, a holiday. Yes, it would punish their families too, but isn't that a step towards getting them to realise that there are other "victims" for their crimes, apart from those from whom they stole, or had accidents with? How many Thai wives manage their household economies without any material involvement from their husbands who spend anything earned in a field on Lao Khao or playing cards etc? They'd get by.
Caught by a camera at the lights? Lose the use of your vehicle for "X" days... on a scale of seriousness, and frequency of being caught.
Plenty of scope there for discussion and better ideas too.
