Let criminals buy their way out of jail, Gina Rinehart says

[poison_ivys_pen]

In a column for Australian Resources and Investment magazine, Mrs Rinehart says the Government should consider letting non-violent offenders pay to get out of prison - or pay to avoid serving time altogether - because Australia needs more workers and taxpayers as the population ages.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-06/gina-rinehart-mining-industry-jobs-crime-texas-jails/4940370

She's entitled to her opinion of course but what on earth does this say that it's ok if you have the resources you can simply buy your way out of prison ?? it's a dangerous precedent.

[izabsmiling]

It says ...if ya got money you could buy your way out of jail 

[poison_ivys_pen]

Pretty much.

I know where she was going being for non violent crimes but once you start with one it can lead to the other, it would make a mockery of the justice system IMO. 

[izabsmiling]

would something like an Auction for Freedom work ....and skip the Court process and sentencing all together ?

or not ....that sound corrupt .

[poison_ivys_pen]

That type of process could also be abused so yes open to being corrupted.

[izabsmiling]

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@poison_ivys_pen wrote:

Pretty much.

I know where she was going being for non violent crimes but once you start with one it can lead to the other, it would make a mockery of the justice system IMO. 

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I totally agree ...also I don't believe that our Legal system puts people in jail unless and/or unless  it is really necessary for one reason or another 

[meh_too]

Doesn't that already happen?  He with the most $$$$ gets the best lawyer.

[poison_ivys_pen]

Exactly Iza.

If they've done the crime they do the time.

[poison_ivys_pen]

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@meh_too wrote:

Doesn't that already happen?  He with the most $$$$ gets the best lawyer.

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In many respects yes if you can afford one of the best defence lawyers but doesn't always guarantee the outcome that a defendant wishes to get, many are still found guilty inspite of having the best defence money can buy.

Her reasoning is what I find disturbing and where it could lead.

As for needing more workers as our population ages that is true up to a point, but as a reason for an argument of doing so is ridiculous in many ways, this is a woman who hires overseas workers rather than the many people here already who are looking for work in the minerals and resources sector as it's cheaper for her to do so.  In that respects she isn't supporting jobs growth here so makes her argument flawed.

[freakiness]

That article is the first I've ever seen that describes the Texas prison system as humane.