Hinch makes some very good points.

[the_bob_delusion]

http://www.news.com.au/national/derryn-hinch-slams-celebrity-backed-bali-nine-mercy-campaign-video/s...

RADIO AND TV personality Derryn Hinch has criticised the decision made by Australian celebrities to call for mercy for Bali Nine masterminds Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, saying their campaign is “hypocritical”.

“In Indonesia, they know that when they commit crimes like this, then you could get the death penalty.

“I say hypocritical because are these people who are up there who are saying ‘I stand for mercy’ — is that for Australian drug dealers or Australians on death row, or for everybody?”

“I mean did they stand up a week ago and say ‘I stand for mercy’ for the Brazilian who was executed in Indonesia, or the one from the Netherlands, or the Indonesian woman or somebody from Malawi? Or is it just Australians?,” he said.

He also questioned whether those celebrities involved in the video were against the death penalty in general, or if they were only against capital punishment for specific offences.

“Also if you are against the death penalty, are you against the death penalty for all offences?,” he asked.

“Are you against the death penalty say for the terrorists? Did you try and campaign to try and save the lives of the Bali Bombers?,” he said.

“Did we put our hands up and say show them clemency? Don’t execute them.”

He concluded with his view: “If you’re going to say ‘I stand for mercy’, stand for mercy for everybody, if you’re against the death penalty, be against it for everybody. you can’t be a little bit pregnant,” he added.

Kinda makes sense to me. 

[cherry*135]

Isn't  a case of 'lookiing out for your own'? Can't possiblly look out for every person of every nationality, at least can take interest in your own countrymen/women.

[youcandoityoucandoityoucandoit]

Im not trying to be querulous, but can you explain what you mean by 'doing the job the government is supposed to be doing' ?

I agree that they are to be congratulated for changing their lives, in what can only be thought of as a horrific place, in horrific conditions. The fact that they have helped and supported others to change their lives in a positive way is extraordinary and yes, they deserve to be singled out and praised. 

I think clemency so that they are given life sentences instead of execution is the best outcome that can be expected.

It shows mercy, but there is punishment for their crime. 

[cherry*135]

I wonder what % of prisoners in Indonesia are foreigners?  If not excecuted - these two would be in prison there for next 30-40+ years? Them both being in their early 30's now.

[polksaladallie]

It is the job of every government in every country to attempt to rehabilitate every prisoner.  Most fail abysmally.

[cherry*135]

Does the Govt fail, or are some people just bad and destined to reoffend and reoffend?

Being given the opportunity to do Tertiary study etc, in prisons is pretty good, for those who want to better themselves.

[youcandoityoucandoityoucandoit]

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@am*3 wrote:

Concern isn't the same as taking action. If a person wants to get their friend/family out of an overseas jail, they are going to be majorly active in trying to achieve. the other prisoners won't feature much in that line of action.

I can't see any problem with Australians, ordinary citizens or celebs being mostly concerned with Australians in overseas prisons.. what do you expect them to do? Study all the prisoners backgrounds, learn their languages/ laws etc to help them?

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am*3 you asked if I was 'concerned' I answered, regarding being 'concerned'

I dont have any expectations that anyone would 'study all the prisoners backgrounds......to help them?'

But I do respect and uphold the Laws of other countries when I am travelling. What other people do- Australians, or other nationalities, is their own business. 

[youcandoityoucandoityoucandoit]

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@polksaladallie wrote:

It is the job of every government in every country to attempt to rehabilitate every prisoner.  Most fail abysmally.

---

Thanks for answering polks.

I think it is also the job of every government in every country to uphold their laws, which, unfortunately for prisoners, is also punishment.

[cherry*135]

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@youcandoityoucandoityoucandoit wrote:

---

@am*3 wrote:

Concern isn't the same as taking action. If a person wants to get their friend/family out of an overseas jail, they are going to be majorly active in trying to achieve. the other prisoners won't feature much in that line of action.

I can't see any problem with Australians, ordinary citizens or celebs being mostly concerned with Australians in overseas prisons.. what do you expect them to do? Study all the prisoners backgrounds, learn their languages/ laws etc to help them?

---

am*3 you asked if I was 'concerned' I answered, regarding being 'concerned'

I dont have any expectations that anyone would 'study all the prisoners backgrounds......to help them?'

But I do respect and uphold the Laws of other countries when I am travelling. What other people do- Australians, or other nationalities, is their own business. 

---

This stemmed from criticism about Aust celebs only being concerned about Aust prisoners in Indonesia.-- offering their suport really and asking for mercy. I don't have any problem with that.

 Other prisoners from other countries, may have support from friends, family, politicians, celebs from their own countries... we don't know about that.

[polksaladallie]

Punishment is the putting of people into prison.  Punishment is not ill-treating them in prison.  It is far cheaper and obviously better for the whole society to rehabiitate as many as possible. 

They fail for the most part, and prisoners leave worse than they were before.  So we are going backwards.

[youcandoityoucandoityoucandoit]

http://www.prisonstudies.org/country/indonesia

This website states that at 17.07.2014, there were 167,163 prisoners in Indonesian jails. Mid 2012, 0.5% of the total prison population were foreigners.