Lags say burglars should be given harsher prison sentences

BURGLARS deserve harsher sentences, say their fellow jailbirds.

Three quarters reckon judges are too soft on them.

3

Raiders who target houses where kids live should be especially punished, according to a prison newspaper survey.

Noel Smith, 55 — editor of Inside — asked prisoners to give their verdict on burglars after remarking how they appeared to not be reviled behind bars.

His poll got 175 responses — 75 of them from inmates serving time for break-ins.

3

ADT spokeswoman Gail Hunter said: "Most burglars appeared concerned to know how much hurt they might have caused, and this was one of the purposes of the exercise.

"It shows we can help prevent re-offending by leading burglars to see the real effects of targeting a family home."

However, nine in 10 said they would feel guilty if they knew that any children had been left traumatised by their crimes.

RELATED STORIES

'We want the truth'

Fresh inquests announced into 1974 Birmingham bombs that left 21 dead

Saturday and Sunday Slammer

Lags to be imprisoned only two days a week so they can get jobs in the outside world

let off

Thug smiles after being allowed out of prison just 12 months into 4yr sentence for brutal pensioner attack

jail attack

Killer mum who stamped her daughter to death has been attacked in prison by two other female inmates

Sentencing guidelines allow for judges to take the impact on children into account when sentencing domestic burglars if they are at home or arrive home during the burglary.

They should also assess whether there has been ‘trauma to the victim, beyond the normal inevitable consequence of intrusion and theft’.

Mr Smith wrote that burglars who target family homes should be ‘treated with contempt on a par with others who commit crimes against families and children’.

3

He added: "It has always amazed me that burglars seem to get a free pass from the majority of UK prisoners.

"I mean, think about it for a second - what do dwelling house burglars actually do?

"The facts show that they break into the homes of ordinary people, sometimes doing terrible and expensive damage, they then rifle through the personal belongings of whole families, children and babies included, and take what they want.

"And sometimes (all too commonly) leaving behind devastated and frightened victims whose lives have been impacted by this most personal of crimes."