Friday, December 31, 2004
Smoking in prison
Letter in Thursday's Scotsman - I would like to say that the original was slightly longer & that by cutting to the chase the letters editor has improved it:
There is some annoyance, even among supporters of a smoking ban, that prisoners will be allowed to smoke. But anyone who wants them punished should be happy that they will not benefit from this kindly measure.
Indeed, allowing them to smoke could be challenged on the grounds that it is a cruel punishment not given by the court. It is astonishing that any supporters of the ban should so misunderstand their own motivation that they think excusing prisoners from it is being soft on them.
NEIL CRAIG
There is some annoyance, even among supporters of a smoking ban, that prisoners will be allowed to smoke. But anyone who wants them punished should be happy that they will not benefit from this kindly measure.
Indeed, allowing them to smoke could be challenged on the grounds that it is a cruel punishment not given by the court. It is astonishing that any supporters of the ban should so misunderstand their own motivation that they think excusing prisoners from it is being soft on them.
NEIL CRAIG
