NI Health minister advocates prison for repeated covid offenders.

[102 fan]

NI health minister now advocating prison for restriction offenders.

UK variant could be up to 40% more deadly says Boris Johnson - Robin Swann to look at jail time for repeat Covid-19 offenders - Lockdown could be extended into April says Michelle O’Neill

Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has said there is evidence to suggest a variant, first encountered in the south of England and already in Northern Ireland, is up to 40 per cent more deadly than the original strain.

www.newsletter.co.uk

Health Minister, Robin Swann, said he is open minded about sending to prison those people who repeatedly breach Covid-19 legislation.
The potential for custodial sentences for repeat offenders has come about after a district judge criticised the current Covid-19 legislation as it did not provide him with the option of imposing jail sentences on two people who have consistently breach the regulations.
Minister Swann said he thought potential custodial sentences could be “proportionate” and committed to raising the issue at the next meeting of the Northern Ireland Executive.

I can't believe what I'm reading. I would of assumed that a minister in NI would be all to aware of the effects heavy handed policing.

 

[kristiang85]

Well, it's not much different from what people are experiencing anyway. You'll probably be allowed more exercise and you won't have to pay for your meals.

 

[nedchester]

Well, it's not much different from what people are experiencing anyway. You'll probably be allowed more exercise and you won't have to pay for your meals.

 

[Trackman]

Well it's not going to solve anything or be a deterrent.
TBH, a lot of people would prefer a few weeks in prison rather than forking out for a hefty fine.

 

[102 fan]

Well it's not going to solve anything or be a deterrent.
TBH, a lot of people would prefer a few weeks in prison rather than forking out for a hefty fine.

It's the political situation here which makes it difficult. It doesn't take much for unrest on one side if the other is perceived to be getting less.

 

[DB]

NI health minister now advocating prison for restriction offenders.

UK variant could be up to 40% more deadly says Boris Johnson - Robin Swann to look at jail time for repeat Covid-19 offenders - Lockdown could be extended into April says Michelle O’Neill

Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has said there is evidence to suggest a variant, first encountered in the south of England and already in Northern Ireland, is up to 40 per cent more deadly than the original strain.

www.newsletter.co.uk

'Coronavirus NI - Robin Swann to look at jail time for repeat Covid-19 offenders'


I can't believe what I'm reading. I would of assumed that a minister in NI would be all to aware of the effects heavy handed policing.

Minister Swann said he thought potential custodial sentences could be “proportionate” and committed to raising the issue at the next meeting of the Northern Ireland Executive.

It does show how far down the path of authoritarianism we have headed if it's judged 'proportionate' to send someone ignoring rules which have no proven benefit overall anyway to prison.

 

[PeterY]

Things just get sillier and sillier. Probably catch COVID in prison.

 

[Freightmaster]

NI health minister now advocating prison for restriction offenders.

Robin Swann earlier:

(image is a still from the 'straight to jail' scene in Parks and Rec)







MARK

 

[Carlisle]

It's the political situation here which makes it difficult. It doesn't take much for unrest on one side if the other is perceived to be getting less.

Has Northern Ireland been under greater pressure than other UK nations to adopt longer & more stringent lockdowns, given how keenly the Irish Republic has embraced that strategy from the beginning ?

 

[bramling]

Things just get sillier and sillier. Probably catch COVID in prison.

I’m already at the stage of wishing I could properly hibernate for a while.

Every time we see something silly, something or someone appears in short order which trumps it.

One thing the government has managed to do well, albeit probably more by accident than design, is setting people against each other. It’s very convenient as while we’re all blaming each other, we’re not blaming the government. It’s interesting that not one UK politician in this country (AFAICR) has attempted to lay any blame on China! Trump sort of did, but only in an indirect way.

 

[bangor-toad]

I think that there's some context that's not been picked up on...

From what I can see there was a Court hearing where someone was fined, again, for holding a house party. The person in question had previously told the Court that they would not pay any attention to the law and would continue to host parties, breaching the NI rules.
The Judge was exasperated and complained that the NI Executive had only included the power to fine in the law. They openly asked for it to be reviewed so that the Courts would have a custodial sanction for those who really, really won't follow the rules everyone else is under.

Robin Swann has listened to the Judge and said he will consider it.


Our local NI politicians are often not great but on this occasion I think that it's fair response to the stupidity of a very small number of individuals that just won't follow the rules.
Locked up for exercisng too far from your home? Of course that should not happen.
Having that possiblility after hosting your 10th party where you're caught? I think I would actually be in favour...

Mr Toad

 

[brad465]

Just issuing more fining and/or putting more people in prison for crimes doesn't solve the underlying problems in society for non-Covid crimes so I don't see why it would solve them for Covid ones either (not that I support there being crimes for Covid). Educating society and providing important services that limit deprivation is usually the way to go about it.

 

[DB]

One thing the government has managed to do well, albeit probably more by accident than design, is setting people against each other. It’s very convenient as while we’re all blaming each other, we’re not blaming the government.

I dont' think that's by accident - it's intentional: the tried and tested divide and rule tactic.

Our local NI politicians are often not great but on this occasion I think that it's fair response to the stupidity of a very small number of individuals that just won't follow the rules.
Locked up for exercisng too far from your home? Of course that should not happen.
Having that possiblility after hosting your 10th party where you're caught? I think I would actually be in favour...

Afraid I disagree - these restrictions are excessive as they are, and it should not be made worse.

 

[greyman42]

I agree with you.