this post was submitted on 29 May 2024
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What's the usual parole like in Scotland?
I agree it's a pretty bad crime, and that it seems a bit quick based purely on what's presented but is that outside the norm for that legal system?
Parole, in theory, is still a form of corrections. Imprisonment to strictly limit the person's access to the rest of society, which comes with (again, in theory) careful evaluation of the likelihood of recidivism. If that likelihood is deemed to be low, parole is simply a less strict set pf restrictions that, if violated, takes the person right back to prison.
I know people don't always like the idea of violent criminals (and I include plotting murder as that, regardless of it being carried out or not) getting parole. But how long in prison is long enough? What's the line for Scotland, where a person is considered to be safe to parole? Normally.
Varies person to person right? That's why we have a board. But murder, and planning, are very serious. And usually half sentence is when things start being reviewed, which feels right too. But also wrong in this case
I would say that when the system is run with standards, and that standard is half sentence for eligibility, it seems realistic for a five year parole hearing on a ten year sentence.
Unless I misread the article, she's still got to go before the board, and victim impact statements will be considered. That seems like a pretty good system tbh. At least, when it functions as intended, with every effort to eliminate bias and corruption.
It sucks on an emotional level, particularly for the family of the victim. A great wrong calls out for a great punishment on an emotional level.
I think here, the failure of justice isn't in the parole, if there is a failure. It would be in the original sentence. Conspiracy to murder is pretty damn bad. It may be as bad as doing the killing. I can't say I can see much difference between stabbing someone, and paying someone to stab someone. You're still using a weapon to end a life.
I totally understand the outrage, I just try to hope that legal systems stay as neutral and even as humanly possible. If that means that people I think deserve worse don't get it, I'm willing to accept that as the price for the people that don't get worse than they deserve.
Like, here in the US? Man, just the racial difference in judicial outcomes is rotten. It's systemic and ugly. I'm sure there's similar imbalances in every country, to some degree. Might just be the usual poverty disparity, but even that is not good.
Which, I'm rambling a little, but the point is that if you trust the Scottish courts and system, maybe this is a good thing that she's getting a timely hearing when it would occur with anyone.