Your Views: Letters to the Editor on criminal justice system
This week, InDaily readers have their say on shooting native birds and Adelaide’s great parking debate.
Responding to ‘We feel like animals’: SA kids as young as ten detained before guilty verdict
It is disturbing that young children are held in detention, but it is also disturbing how secretive the whole youth justice system seems to be.
We hear of children being detained for crimes, but in most instances, they seem to be instantly freed on bail. From then on, no one has a clue as to what happens to them – were they found guilty, was any punishment administered etc, etc. Names are not required, but it would be good if the public is actually aware of what justice is being done.
It is also concerning that children are being held in custody multiple times – presumably because they are committing further criminal acts while on bail. The system is completely ridiculous if a child is facing multiple charges before a decision has been made on the first charge.
Clearly the system is not working and needs to be reworked to prevent much of what is happening today. – Graham Tench
Get off the moral high horse and give readers the full picture.
“Not yet guilty” is an emotive headline, but it does not establish that remand was unnecessary. Why was bail refused? What risks were identified? Was safe accommodation or adequate supervision available? Those are central questions, and this article leaves them largely unanswered.
The reference to stays exceeding 14 days supplies no typical duration, longest stay or comparison with adult remand. Without that context, what conclusion are readers supposed to draw?
Nor does the description of the redeveloped centre support the impression of a bare punitive institution. It includes therapeutic accommodation, classrooms, health services, a sensory room, sporting facilities and cultural programs. That investment deserves examination alongside the complaints. Facilities alone do not prove good treatment, but distressing quotations do not establish the whole picture either.
Even the headline statistic needs greater care: 98 per cent of admissions is not the same as 98 per cent of the current population.
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Investigate bullying, excessive confinement and failures of care. Demand accountability where the evidence supports it. But scrutinise the campaigners’ claims as rigorously as the government’s.
Vulnerable children, victims and the public deserve more than an outrage-driven account that leaves the hardest questions unanswered. – Serge Ambrose
Children know the difference between right and wrong at ten years old. Not committing crime is the best way to avoid being locked up. Simple. – Paul Travers
Responding to Former SA Police Association chief bringing best champagne to local tables
Your champagnes and crémant are simply stunning, Mark and Melissa – great value and oh so good! Bonne chance! – Peter Jackson
Responding to Poll: Two car parks or fifteen people? Adelaide’s big parking debate
Well, thankfully these “parklets” did not fall victim to the “Drivers Month” movement.
Their saving grace is their location – tucked in on the side streets and away from mass thoroughfare.
Hutt Street businesses would fold themselves inside out if a single one of these parklets ended up on their street, which is incredibly sensitive to any/all car parking alterations.
I would rather sit in a former car parking space than a crammed portion of “footpath”. But we have learnt that every business will crumble if a single space is given over to anything else.
Hutt Street traders might wish to travel beyond their bubble (and echo chamber) to Europe, Asia, or any other country where they have realised trade does not rely on cars. – John Reardon
Responding to ‘Absolute agony’: Damning report reveals SA prisoners suffer toilet and sleep deprivation
I consider these reports interesting,
Are the prisoners in this article aware that they are in this situation due to their own inappropriate behaviour?
Stay informed, daily
If they had not committed the crimes that they are guilty of, they would not be in the situation they find themselves.
How can anyone feel empathy when it is their own fault?
It doesn’t matter whether it is due to mental health issues – take the appropriate medication, and this would not happen. – Vicki Larritt
Responding to Night shooting of native birds on Fleurieu
I am writing to ask whether your publication would consider further investigating Alexandrina Council’s decision to employ contractors to shoot little corellas at night.
While I recognise that large flocks can cause problems for residents, I am concerned about the welfare of these native birds and whether the proposed operation will provide a lasting solution.
The South Australian Department for Environment and Water warns that large-scale shooting is generally “ineffective” at reducing overall corella populations over the longer term.
I believe the public deserves answers about the expected effectiveness of the program, the procedures for dealing with injured birds, the protection of other native species and the alternatives considered before the council made its decision.
Could this be an opportunity to investigate whether public money is being spent on a measure that may not resolve the underlying problem?
I would welcome further media scrutiny of this decision and the opportunity for wildlife experts and animal welfare organisations to contribute to the discussion. – Jan Williams
Responding to Punters hit record losses as SA pokies cash in
In regard to gambling losses, that is clearly an amount of “discretionary spending” and therefore does that have an impact on inflation when there is an apparent “cost-of-living crisis” or do we just ignore those incredible losses? What about the amount of money lost on gambling on the Melbourne Cup?
These are genuine questions. – Di Martin
Responding to Art Deco society’s surprise take on Piccadilly development
I’ll boycott Wallis’ theatres if it proceeds with its development, dwarfing and partly destroying the Piccadilly cinema in North Adelaide. – Grantley Franklin
Responding to Downer-led helium and hydrogen business wins billionaire backing
About time that some common sense prevailed and to start using some of the resources we have in our country, unlock the potential and use these resources to provide opportunities to the future generations, as well as pay down debt created through bad management.
South Australia needs alternative energy suppliers to renewable energy, and hydrogen in the ground should be used long before trying to make it from water.
South Australia should use its gas more for energy in conjunction with fertiliser production.
Finally, the elephants in the room: South Australia should be developing a nuclear energy system, as it is a major mining state; and the hypocrisy of mining uranium, selling it around the world, planning for a nuclear submarine industry whilst not allowing the state to benefit from an abundance of energy from generating electricity.
Mind-boggling arrogance and letting ideology keep this state with the most expensive electricity in Australia, and most likely, the world. Reindustrialisation of South Australia and Australia is essential, and common sense is required – Australia is a high-wage country and needs to be competitive by providing an abundance of energy by using all its natural resources. – Robert Spehr
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