As regular readers will know a few weeks ago we blogged about the potential use of high-visibility clothing to 'shame' offenders on community service and highlight the work they are doing to the community. Needless to say it drew some debate from several quarters as we noted.As of yesterday the new scheme which sees offenders in bright orange tabards started and the debate went from hypothetical to reality.
Jack Straw said of the scheme and its goals: 'They're not medieval; it's not to do with the stocks. It's not to do with shaming. The shame the offenders feel is the shame and humiliation of having committed the offence and then going to court and having a criminal record. What this is about is enabling the public to see that justice is being done.'
A strong argument you might think, but clearly some disagree. But what do you think about this? We are an industry involved with high-visibility clothing in its more traditional uses but this is an emotive subject and one could run and run.
4 comments:
If they didn't want to be shamed, they shouldn't committed the offences in the first place! It's about time the government did something like this... tough on crime? I don't think so!
Interesting point, anyone care to disagree?
Steady...
I agree with Jack Straw - show the public that the justice is being done and that the criminals are giving something back to society - if it helps the trade sell a few more hi-vis vests then all the better
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