Thirty Six Part Two.

Thinking of hobbies, I like to do and shops I like to visit, places to eat out, and work, was thinking about all of this today, when I thought about the article I wrote yesterday.

I can’t imagine what it would be like to be locked up for a crime I didn’t commit, I think of other people too, who may have health issues, appointments booked, family commitments, holidays paid for, exams, pets, the list of ‘life’ is endless and then one day to be told, “You’re going to jail for life,” Forever, to be alive but existing in a maximum security jail, far away from family and friends, with you name in tatters.

It would impossible to try and clear your name to say, “I am innocent.” When the jury and police have declared you, “Guilty.” Thank goodness for family who stand by those who are innocent.

I remember a man who had some learning difficulties he went to jail for a crime he didn’t commit and when he was found not guilty his beloved Mum had passed away. No amount of compensation can heal that hurt. His health was ruined in jail and soon he died too!

Its good that the forensics now, DNA, fingerprints and other things, this means in time, more innocent people can be freed.

My favourite film of all time is called, The Hurricane, about a brilliant boxer, who went to jail for a crime he didn’t do, he was in jail for almost twenty years.

I think of my age now, and to be told that I am going to jail for life, and then to serve thirty-six years, look how much our world would have changed in all that time, it would be unrecognizable! And what would be the percentage of those reading this to be alive in thirty-six years? Certainly not all of us.

It is good that there are individuals and groups who believe in those in jail, and those who write letters year in and year out, they do things that most of us don’t think about.

I’ve always been one to believe, “An eye for an eye,” But only for murder, so if someone has killed another on purpose, then they should have the death penalty, but only if there is 100% no doubt, if there is doubt then life. It’s surprising how many murders are released from jail, for good behaviour only to kill again.

I’m SO pleased for the three men who were released this week, for the killing of a fourteen-year-old child. They didn’t do it.