robroy:
I aint a bleeding heart liberal by any stretch, but I do believe most (maybe not all) deserve a second chance.
As an example about 30 yrs ago I got to playing pool with a lad in my local, we got on ok had a couple of pints, and I kept bumping into him quite regular, both by myself and with my Mrs.
After a couple of weeks the landlord took me to one side and warned me off this guy as he had just came out of nick and moved up here to start a new life.
I told my Mrs about this, she told me he had offered to do some decorating for us after she mentioned we were looking for someone, so we decided to give him a chance.
Rightly or wrongly I put him on test, I left some money small amounts in drawers, and planted a 20 quid note on the floor but not obviously.
We came in after a shopping trip, the 20 quid had gone, he had done a good job, I paid him, and he said ‘‘Oh yeh, nearly forgot, I found this Rob when I moved that chair’’
That was enough for me, this lad became a good friend, and spent a lot of time at my home with me the Mrs and the kids.
Turned out he had just got involved with a bad lot and moved away to resist the influence.
Sorry to bore you with my anecdotes just redressing the balance.
Half the prison population is made up of people like your mate. Give them half a chance and they’re useful members of society. Others just need a bit more help. Admittedly some are a lost cause, but that isn’t an excuse to mistreat them.
There are obviously different types of criminals found in prisons today. It all depends on what they are or have been inside for as to whether or not I would give them a second chance. I wouldn’t be giving a serious criminal a second chance for crimes such as murder etc. I have a very good friend who went away for fraud, he is a nice chap and not someone you would expect to go to prison. I also know a lad who went to prison for a serious assault and had a bit of a record for violence, once again a nice lad if you know him but to be honest I wouldn’t want to cross him. Some poor sods in prison who may have hit hard times and been put away who maybe deserve a second chance, it all depends on what they have done and more importantly perhaps is what caused them to do what they have done. Everyone reacts differently in circumstances that are beyond a reasonable persons thinking and logic.
The lad I was on about had been involved in burglaries, he was only 21 at the time and I wasn’t much older.
The burglary thing would maybe be enough for many to keep him out of their home, but I reckon I’m a good judge of character.
If he had been a ■■■■ ■■■■■■■■■■ or something he would not have got within a mile of my front door, I aint that charitable, …but as I said he seemed, and was proven to be spot on.
He went on to work full time in the area,.and never turned back to crime.
UKtramp:
There are obviously different types of criminals found in prisons today. It all depends on what they are or have been inside for as to whether or not I would give them a second chance. I wouldn’t be giving a serious criminal a second chance for crimes such as murder etc. I have a very good friend who went away for fraud, he is a nice chap and not someone you would expect to go to prison. I also know a lad who went to prison for a serious assault and had a bit of a record for violence, once again a nice lad if you know him but to be honest I wouldn’t want to cross him. Some poor sods in prison who may have hit hard times and been put away who maybe deserve a second chance, it all depends on what they have done and more importantly perhaps is what caused them to do what they have done. Everyone reacts differently in circumstances that are beyond a reasonable persons thinking and logic.
You’re not far off the mark there. Most prisoners fall into one of two categories. 1) Those who didn’t think about the consequences of their actions 2) Those who didn’t care about the consequences.
Plenty of people are in prison because of a stupid, spur of the moment decision that had dire consequences. They have their liberty taken away as punishment, but they’re unlikely to reoffend on release.
Then there are those who don’t care about what they do. With support, they can be shown the disastrous consequences of their actions. Restorative justice is really good for that.
There are a small minority however, who believe that they are entitled to break the law. That the law is wrong and doesnt apply to them. Mental health issues are rife amongst this group.
I could tell you many stories, most of them have outcomes like Robroy’s mate. Some of them still give me nightmare though.
AndrewG:
Number 11 has been omitted from the list- do they have access to a tanning salon like a truck driver does?
Andrew, you don’t need a tanning salon driving in Spain, spare some compassion for us drivers that see the sun for only a few weeks out of the year. We look silly walking around with only our right arm tanned, the one that hangs out of the window. A tanning studio is essential for our left arms.
Captain Caveman 76:
Part of the reason reoffending rates are so high is the lack of opportunities for offenders after release. A result of the media induced hysteria. Believe it or not, prisons aren’t nice places and most offenders don’t want to be there. How crap must things be on the out for them to see it as the better option?
You have me feeling such pity for these poor misguided victims of society.
I have a few questions about prisoners:
Do they get free food? Yes, but they are told what to eat
Do they get free clothes?Yes, but they are told what to wear
Do they get free TV?No, they have to earn the right to have a tv, then they have to pay for it
Do they get free tobacco?No, they pay for it out of their wages
Do they get free gym?Yes, but it can be taken away from them if they break the rules
Do they get free education?Yes, basic education is free. The same as it is elsewhere
Does their cell have a toilet?Yes, it’s in their bedroom
Do they have to ■■■■ in a bottle if they happen to need a burst in the night?No, they have to ■■■■ next to where they sleep. That’s the same place as where they eat.
If they need a dump - do they have to do it in a bag?See above
Just how bad is it compared to living in a truck?No comparison, a driver can at least open their window, or go for a walk, or pop to the shop etc.
These people are the dregs of society and the answers to the above don’t need answering. They are clearly rhetorical - I wouldn’t buy anything from them - there’s quite a few of these volunteers I would use for target practice though.
I know you said you don’t want answers, but you’ve gotten them anyway.
I agree, the things some of these people have done are terrible. They are being punished by having their freedom and choices removed. They attend courses to address their offending behaviour and education to give them a chance of gaining employment on release.
If you really wanted to know what it’s like, you could join the IMB and see for yourself. Or you could just read the Daily Mail or make stuff up yourself.
Amended
Do they get free food? Yes, but they are told what to eat Really… so veggies and Muslims, Jews all eat the same as the pris pop - there’s no choice - not that it matters - free food is free food?
Do they get free clothes?Yes, but they are told what to wear It’s tough isn’t it… I’m guessing this includes - YOU MUST WEAR PPE or you are not permitted on this site?
Do they get free TV?No, they have to earn the right to have a tv, then they have to pay for it Who provides the money? Rhetorical… we do! - is ‘earning the right’… acting like decent people for a change? Really - no need to answer.
Do they get free tobacco?No, they pay for it out of their wages They are none productive… the wages are a gift from the tax payers… the law abiding producers.
Do they get free gym?Yes, but it can be taken away from them if they break the rules LOL…
Do they get free education?Yes, basic education is free. The same as it is elsewhere £9k per yr, plus all the other costs… isn’t free!!! If it is… I need to re-do maths.
Does their cell have a toilet?Yes, it’s in their bedroomCells have bedrooms FFS?
Do they have to ■■■■ in a bottle if they happen to need a burst in the night?No, they have to ■■■■ next to where they sleep. That’s the same place as where they eat. Beats ■■■■■■■ in a bottle.
If they need a dump - do they have to do it in a bag?See above Yes, sounds like paradise compared to dumping in a bag next to where you sleep and eat.
Just how bad is it compared to living in a truck?No comparison, a driver can at least open their window, or go for a walk, or pop to the shop etc.
That is not true… but no point in arguing the point.
We could bounce my 1 to 10 around for a while, but I think it’s fair to say that we have a different interpretation of punishment and relative freedoms too.
I would say the original list stands and demonstrates that the life of a driver is more difficult and furthermore, we are productive, law-abiding tax payers. Beyond that, the life of a driver is easy in comparison to the life of say a soldier and many other virtuous jobs… who is actually being punished?
If the punishment fitted the crimes, then there would not be the high offending rates you mentioned - which was my main reason for responding the way I have.
I don’t know what IMB is? - I do not read papers. You can always highlight what you think I am making up?
The bottom line is this. If I ran prison services, there would be very little and I do mean very little re-offending.
My system:
Prisons for 1st time offenders would be such a shock few would ever return.
Prisons for 2nd time offenders would be worse.
Prisons for 3rd time offenders would be life.
Problem solved in a nutshell.
The lamb shank at Colsterworth takes some beating. Had an excellent couple of meals at Muirpark near Falkirk recently though.
Out of curiosity I asked if they do anything for Vegans, apparently beating the ■■■■ out the pretentious buggers is top of the menu.
One pet hate I have of every establishment I visit is when I request a cup of tea they present me with a cup of hot water with a tea bag in it. I hate this as I’m a milk in first kinda guy, like most of civilised society.
Favourite Road Side Cafe was the original thread its amazing how it eventually turned to Prison & Prisoners welfare lets see what it eventually finishes as.
robroy:
I always used to praise Doug’s Diner Penrith on here regularly, but I aintb oo keen on it now since new owners…(my personal opinion only btw)
Anybody else got any comments on it, I know you found it to be ok Dan, but did you ever go when Shirley ran it?
I agree Robroy not same since new owners took over think it changed name now as well
I used to go in there every week, usually get gammon steak, egg and (home made) chips with a side salad, pot of tea, for about 8 quid.
All local meat, nicely cooked and as near to home cooked as poss.
Went in after new owners, ordered same, got awful chips, and little like strips of gammon…for same price.
As I said this is just my own personal opinion, not slagging them off, might even have just an off night, who knows…but I’ve never gone back since, and I used to spend about 40 quid a month there with the odd breakfast.
Just wondered if anybody else has done the same.
I posted on the forum a while back for an overnight ■■■■■■■■■■■■ near Penrith, Punchy Dan replied and recommended Dougs diner, I rang up and booked a ■■■■■■■■■■■■, She stayed open for me as it was past closing time and done me a nice steak dinner, call in there now a least once a week.
robroy:
I always used to praise Doug’s Diner Penrith on here regularly, but I aintb oo keen on it now since new owners…(my personal opinion only btw)
Anybody else got any comments on it, I know you found it to be ok Dan, but did you ever go when Shirley ran it?
I agree Robroy not same since new owners took over think it changed name now as well
I used to go in there every week, usually get gammon steak, egg and (home made) chips with a side salad, pot of tea, for about 8 quid.
All local meat, nicely cooked and as near to home cooked as poss.
Went in after new owners, ordered same, got awful chips, and little like strips of gammon…for same price.
As I said this is just my own personal opinion, not slagging them off, might even have just an off night, who knows…but I’ve never gone back since, and I used to spend about 40 quid a month there with the odd breakfast.
Just wondered if anybody else has done the same.
I posted on the forum a while back for an overnight ■■■■■■■■■■■■ near Penrith, Punchy Dan replied and recommended Dougs diner, I rang up and booked a ■■■■■■■■■■■■, She stayed open for me as it was past closing time and done me a nice steak dinner, call in there now a least once a week.
Looks like you reckon it’s ok then mate, and you can only speak as you find, as I did.
Another vote for Chippenham Pit Stop. Love the food there, not cheap but high quality and sensible portions. In the shop they also sell some lovely local meat. The mixed grill selection and quality is great and easy to cook in the lorry
My system:
Prisons for 1st time offenders would be such a shock few would ever return.
Prisons for 2nd time offenders would be worse.
Prisons for 3rd time offenders would be life.
Wholeheartedly agree JJ. I’m sick of these apologists, calling people “offenders” for a start. In a way it’s trying to soften use of the word criminal.
Double them over a hill several times a day, physical exercise, drill, bulling boots, cleaning dustbins etc. Not time for boredom, certainly no TV’s!!!
Intake/l39:
I agree Robroy not same since new owners took over think it changed name now as well
I used to go in there every week, usually get gammon steak, egg and (home made) chips with a side salad, pot of tea, for about 8 quid.
All local meat, nicely cooked and as near to home cooked as poss.
Went in after new owners, ordered same, got awful chips, and little like strips of gammon…for same price.
As I said this is just my own personal opinion, not slagging them off, might even have just an off night, who knows…but I’ve never gone back since, and I used to spend about 40 quid a month there with the odd breakfast.
Just wondered if anybody else has done the same.
I posted on the forum a while back for an overnight ■■■■■■■■■■■■ near Penrith, Punchy Dan replied and recommended Dougs diner, I rang up and booked a ■■■■■■■■■■■■, She stayed open for me as it was past closing time and done me a nice steak dinner, call in there now a least once a week.
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Looks like you reckon it’s ok then mate, and you can only speak as you find, as I did.
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Doug’s Diner as I understand it became Annie’s Kitchen, make sure you give them a ring before you go out of your way to go there, I was in there last Friday morning, the current owner was sat having his breakfast, when finished got up from his chair, walked in to the kitchen and informed them all he was shutting it down in two weeks time.
What a way to treat your staff.
Washwipe:
Doug’s Diner as I understand it became Annie’s Kitchen, make sure you give them a ring before you go out of your way to go there, I was in there last Friday morning, the current owner was sat having his breakfast, when finished got up from his chair, walked in to the kitchen and informed them all he was shutting it down in two weeks time.
What a way to treat your staff.
Looks like a lot of drivers shared my opinion then.
It’s a pity, it was one of the best and was a little goldmine.
The ex.owner used to open it for the locals at wk.ends.
Another good one goes.
just redressing the balance.
