Our estimable Home Secretary has come up with something so unbelievable that I am left speechless. People who are wrongfully imprisoned will be charged for the food and lodgings they used while in prison. This is so totally fucking outrageous that I can hardly believe it’s even been suggested. It’s not bad enough that you get locked up for something you didn’t do, now you have to pay the government for the privilege? God almighty!
just as long as the compensation they receive takes into account the charges levied on food and lodgings ;-)
This is just part of the gradual errosion of human rights in this country. Just over ten years ago we all rallied against the criminal justice act because among other things it criminalised ‘dancing to repetitive beats’ and repealed things like the riot act. So not only could you go to jail for playing music in public or dancing to it but the police could wade in with batons to arrest you (for dancing) with no warning.
This was followed by the Terrorism act. I don’t know about you but it terrorised me. Unfortunatly I can’t really tell you how it effects us or how it relates to openness because I might inadvertantly incriminate myself or you by my actions :-(
Now I am not required to incriminate myself according to the european courts but according to the above acts I not only have no right silance but I am required to incriminate myself and my accomplices, even if we have commited no crime.
Come the revolution who is first against the wall? Blunkett or the right ‘orrible fascit former home secretary on the other bench?
Posted by sparkes on March 15th, 2004.
From reading the article a second time I /think/ it’s the case that people currently /are/ charged and the Evil Fascist is fighting to keep the ability to charge them, not introduce it.
Even so I totally agree that it’s a mind-bogglingly terrible policy.
Posted by Nick on March 15th, 2004.
Well, yeah, but those being charged are refusing to pay and are appealing; I am not clear if “a policy that isn’t law” and “a policy that is law that no-one’s doing and everyone’s challenging” are different things :-)
Posted by sil on March 15th, 2004.