AN approach to crime which combines rehabilitation with punishment of
offenders is urged today by the new editor of Life and Work, the Church
of Scotland magazine, CHRISTOPHER REEKIE writes.
Mr Robin Hill, writing in the new issue of the magazine, says that
promoting rehabilitation and eventual re-integration may be viewed by
some as idealistic nonsense, but points to the limitations of punishment
alone.
''Left only to lead empty, cell-bound existences, there would be
little impetus for long-term prisoners to pursue their own personal
development or to plan for their eventual return to society.
''For this reason, the necessary requirement of punishment should
always be accompanied by the opportunity for prisoners to find new
directions in life, both practically and spiritually.''
Mr Hill says that simply incarcerating offenders, ''locked away out of
sight and out of mind'', cannot be reconciled with the ideal of a caring
society.
There was also a need to adopt an increasingly caring approach to
those who have suffered at the hands of violent criminals, so that their
wounds might be healed and damage sustained might be repaired, possibly
with the involvement of offenders themselves.
It had also to be acknowledged that prevention would always be better
than cure. ''In addition to alarm systems, guard dogs and police
patrols, let us also examine more vital areas of preventive action.''
Mr Hill says: ''Our faith clearly calls us to love our neighbour. It
is easy enough for us to ignore those who have suffered from the actions
of the irresponsible and the wicked.
''It is easier still to turn a blind eye to the real needs of those
who have offended against us.''
Mr Hill worked previously as part of a research team at St Andrews
University, examining the needs of terrorist victims.
In the same issue, Mr James Napier, manager of the Church of Scotland
Insurance Company, says congregations should consider cover of at least
#2m against fire risk for contractors working on churches.
The fire on July 28 at Sherbrooke St Gilbert's Church, Pollokshields,
Glasgow, caused a loss which could be as much as #2.6m.
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