Life Means Life. When judges hand down a LIFE SENTENCE it should mean that the perpertrator actually spends their LIFE in jail. Here in Australia Life = 25 Years, how ironic, considering our life expectancy in this country for a male is 75 yrs.
Recently in Western Australia "CHICKEN shop tycoon
Gerardus Heijne has been given a life sentence after being found guilty of murdering his gay lover and business partner at their luxury Perth apartment"
Justice John McKechnie sentenced Heijne, 45,
to life in jail, setting a
non-parole period of 13 years and six months. Sentenced to Life yet is due for parole in 13 years and 6 months. LUDICROUS!
LIFE should mean LIFE - In the age of DNA Testing and with such rapid advancements in technology, we should be looking at reforming our justice System.
As a victim of crime i have been through the ordeals and i believe that the victims and their families should be able to rest assured that if a Life Sentence is handed down, the criminal will be in jail for LIFE not for just a few short years.
Tighten Parole and Abolish the 25 years = Life rule. LIFE MEANS LIFE.
Dear Prime Minister Rudd
We the undersigned request a reform of Australia's Justice System. For far too long the Victims of Crime and their families have been let down by the Australian Justice System.
Mr Prime Minister, here in Australia we believe that Life means Life not 25 years. Recently, (june 2009) CHICKEN shop tycoon
Gerardus Heijne has been given a life sentence after being found guilty of murdering his gay lover and business partner at their luxury Perth apartment. Justice John McKechnie sentenced Heijne, 45, to life in jail, setting a non-parole period of 13 years and six months.
A Life sentence was handed down, yet this murderer will be able to apply for parole in 13 years 6 months. I ask you this question, how is 13 years a life sentence? With the average Life Expectancy in Australia for a Male being 75 Years i again ask, how is 13 years a life sentence? 75 Years non parole period would have been more the punishment us "Victims of crime" would rather see. MAKE THE PUNISHMENT FIT THE CRIME.
Australia's Justice system is completely out of touch with our communities and victims, sentences handed down are a complete disgrace. With drugs and violence rampaging through our cities today, we need to act and reform our justice system to be in line with the crimes that are occurring today, not way back then, when the laws were made.
Mr Prime Minister, we ask you to please reform our justice system and ensure the Victims of Crime are no longer let down by the system.
Thank you for taking the time to read our letters.
