On Crime and Punishment

Dear All

On a recent snorkelling trip to Tuscany, a rogue dentist on a scooter stole my overbite while I was standing at the traffic lights. This started me pondering the subject of crime and how we address this issue in a caring and humane society. Or even New Zealand for that matter.

It was Cicero in 46 B.C., or possibly 1847 - I get a bit hazy with dates after my post-breakfast port, who said, "The twin pillars of crime prevention are prompt capture, speedy judgement and violent retribution." Cicero also said that it was OK to wear a purple toga with orange sandals so perhaps we should be a little circumspect when considering his advice. His point, though, is still relevant in today's society (the point about crime prevention, not togas). Recent research showed that 87% of Australian television current affairs programmes are concerned about the rise in crime.


Let us consider the approach of two different societies. Recent research from Sweden is promising. In selected prisons, hardened recidivists have been punished by being given reduced wine lists with their meals. In the case of particularly recalcitrant felons, the prison sommelier is only allowing access to the '85 Chateauneuf-du-Pape rather than the more fancied, and some would say over-rated '84 vintage. The rate of repeat offences in almost all crimes has decreased markedly, with the notable exception of wine bar heists which have increased by 372%.



"That's all very well for those feisty fun-loving Scandinavian thugs," I hear you say, despite the purely visual medium I'm working in. "What about cities where crime is endemic. What about Reykjavik?" I would respond by asking you to step outside if you dare criticise my Icelandic chums again. Instead, let's look at a more celebrated case - New York City in the 1970s.



It's hard to imagine the climate of fear abroad in the Big Apple in those heady days. This is best exemplified by the crimes carried out by the notorious serial killer, Arthur 'The Notorious Serial Killer' Watson. His killing spree was all the more noteworthy because he taunted the investigating detectives with cryptic clues left at the scene of the crime such as signed confessions and detailed maps showing his whereabouts for the following two weeks. In one famous incident he actually assisted the pathologist at the autopsy of one of his victims, frequently dropping such comments as "A six inch gash to the abdomen! What was I thinking?" and "Hmmm. That mutilated torso looks familiar." He was finally caught while trying to put on a pair of pants during the 1977 St. Patrick's Day Parade. Unfortunately for him, those very same pants were being worn by the District Attorney at the time.



This, and crimes like it led to the the introduction of a policy of extreme tolerance. The NYPD were encouraged to round up suspects and take them to a Broadway musical or fringe theatre piece of their choice. When this made little impression on the crime rate, a rethink led to the introduction of zero tolerance and the rest, as they say, is history.



Thank you for your time.