Is a child murderer vulnerable?

Whilst I agree that what the prisoner did was appalling, we don't have the death penalty in this country and the prison service should have taken better care of him. One has to wonder what caused this man to behave in such a way to a defenceless child.

Oh Deeda - I know why you are saying this - I read the list of her injuries in the paper as well but we simply can't condone prisoners behaving like this. Apart from the huge moral argument that entails, I also remember years ago with one of the NI miscarriages of justice cases when the father Gerry Donlan (??) was badly beaten up in prison (where he later died but not from his injuries) and he was completely innocent. Also, the woman who was imprisoned for supposedly killing two of her children and was later freed on appeal also suffered terribly in prison as a 'child killer'. But even if everyone in prison is guilty, the state has an absolute duty of care when it locks someone up - there's far too much of prison officers not only turning a blind eye but actually there have been cases where they have deliberately told other prisoners who to'go for'

Prisoners should be protected in a civilized society, however much we abhor thir crimes. Not mollycoddled - but protected.

I do not feel sorry or anyone serving time or an appalling crime such as this man committed. But I cannot condone vigilante killings, even for child murderers. He had been tried and was being punished by being in prison.
Once we feel pleased at another person's death /suffering we diminish our own humanity.
Once we think it is OK to bypass the law then society starts to crumble. The best way is to make sure we have good, strong laws that are used well to keep society as safe as possible.

for not or

Well said, nanaej - my thoughts entirely.

It's one thing to go to reasonable lengths to protect someone who is going to be an obvious target in prison. It's quite another to parade him as an innocent victim when the innocent victim was the unfortunate child.

I agree that the 'innocent victim' scenario is disgusting but I do think he should have been protected. I'd have been happy for him to spend his sentence in solitary confinement preferably in a very small cupboard cell.

Well said Deedaa. He got what he deserved.

Pete- that isn't how a criminal justice system works - one set of criminals deciding on the appropriate punishment for another criminal. But you know that.....

I cannot put into words what I would have liked to have happened to this person. He HAS got what he deserved.
Is a convicted person put in prison to be protected or for those outside to be protected from him/her (rhetorical question).

I totally agree with everything the original poster said. I hope he died a slow lingering painful death.

jingle, I'm with you there. We can't all agree (we won't all agree) and this is a really emotive subject.
The other day it there was a programme on Radio 4 about Jamie Bulger's murder. he would be nearly 23 now. His murderers have been protected very carefully for all of 20 years. They were no doubt damaged in some way to have carried out such a terrible crime, but Venables is still being protected after having been convicted of downloading child-pornography.

How would you feel if someone was murdered in prison who it turned out was innocent ?

It is an emotive issue, bluebell, and I understand what you're saying. However, if my child had been tortured and killed by someone, and it was proved without doubt that the person was the murderer, then I think I would feel he/she had got what they had deserved.

I was thinking along those lines after I posted, Marelli, and I came to the conclusion that although I stand by that post, if I were in the position you describe I cannot say how I'd react. We can only say how we feel at this moment, not how we'd feel if our circumstances were different.

But that's exactly why we have a criminal justice system because it is so emotional

That's quite true, Ana. All circumstances are different, and far too difficult to discuss objectively.

I want to say that he should have been protected in prison............. but I know that if he had done that to one of mine I would not have been responsible for my actions and would have said he got what he deserved.

It's hard to feel any sympathy for child murderers who then get attacked in prison. I doubt any people living in Soham care a jot what happens to Ian Huntley. You can imagine the comments when he attempted suicide.

I have no sympathy for the man in question at all. I do think he had the right to be protected in prison, though.

I find it so tragic that often it is the 'step father' who abuses a young child. I am sure he was also handled cruelly as a child. It saddens me that the abused children I taught in my first years as a teacher in a rough part of London are now abusing the next generation and on and on. With the right education and support this should not happen. {v v expensive }

As a senior teacher I was involved in child protection work. I must say it can be harrowing. Often you can see the child in the mother or father and this is also very unsettling. One mother used to get to me in meetings as a true victim, however we were jubilant when the children was taken away from her and eventually she was denied any access. How sad , so many ruined lives.

Definition.....Vulnerability refers to the inability to withstand the effects of a hostile environment

The vulnerable person in this situation was the 2 year old little girl who was tortured and killed.

Her murderer had a choice. She didn't.

I wont lose sleep worrying about the fear, terror, pain and horror HE may have experienced before he died.

Is that you, notso? Good to see you back if it is!