Should criminals be tattooed with the crime they committed
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Should criminals be tattooed with the crime they committed
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Ok, so this is a bit of a crazy question, but some of you might be able to tell I've recently seen The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo. In the film, very sadly the main character Lisbeth is raped by her la
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Should criminals be tattooed with the crime they committed
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Should criminals be tattooed with the crime they committed
posted at 6/5/2012 12:16 AM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 71
First: 3/4/2012 Last: 31/5/2012 |
Ok, so this is a bit of a crazy question, but some of you might be able to tell I've recently seen The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo. In the film, very sadly the main character Lisbeth is raped by her lawyer, and she seeks revenge by tattooing his entire beer belly with 'I am a rapist pig'. So, this made me think, should we Tatoo criminals for their crimes e.g. Violent partner, rapist, murderer, paedophile etc to protect the general pulic? There is a database of paedophiles in your local area on the internet, and i remember reading in the newspaper that there was some talk of having something similar for violent partners to protect people who might end up in a relationship with that person years later. I just wondered what clinicians thought of this considering medicne is probably the one profession ( aside from law) where we see society as it is in some way and elements of its decay. Thanks. |
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Re: Should criminals be tattooed with the crime they committed
posted at 6/5/2012 9:54 AM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 1351
First: 25/1/2009 Last: 24/5/2013 |
An intersting question. What happens if th are then proved innocent? Or after they are deemed to have paid their debt to society? Should it be for all crimes, or just serious ones? Who should decide which crimes are serious enough? On the other hand I think ther should be more restrictions on activities after release from prison. A doctor who killed due their medical negligence would be struck off the GMC register and not allowed to practice agan. But A dangerous driver who killed someone may get 4 years, and a 2 year driving ban - to stop them killing again on the road surely the answer is a lifetime driving ban. Or a fraudster who costs a company millions, should never be allowed to work in a position of financial responsibility again. |
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Re: Should criminals be tattooed with the crime they committed
posted at 6/5/2012 1:40 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 339
First: 17/12/2011 Last: 15/5/2013 |
Well obviously no. But I did notice when I was Prison Medical Officer the large number of facial tatoos on prisoners. Tattoo is a Tahitian word. I did a small audit of tattoos and facial tattoos for an Open University Dip Crim course that I did to try to find out what works to reduce criminality. Turns out that not much except good parenting works. |
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Re: Should criminals be tattooed with the crime they committed
posted at 6/5/2012 6:37 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 1288
First: 9/12/2011 Last: 24/5/2013 |
Yes Absolutely! and as far as psying their Debt to Society, Well, Dr S, In the case of Rape, particularly small girls, the debt is never paid, since they are scarred for life, so too should the Dirtbag who raped the girl be scarred! The Debt is never paid in some crimes! DuaneF |
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Re: Should criminals be tattooed with the crime they committed
posted at 6/5/2012 6:41 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 3045
First: 27/3/2012 Last: 20/5/2013 |
Obviously must not! We have not been provided with such extra powers & not even able to judge whether one is criminal or not. I think it in a straightforward way & with an open heart that even if such action have been taken, it cannot be justified in any way. |
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Re: Should criminals be tattooed with the crime they committed
posted at 6/5/2012 8:34 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 71
First: 3/4/2012 Last: 31/5/2012 |
I appreciate that tatooing a criminal may be somewhat barbaric to some, however, >90% of criminals reoffend. I completely agree with DuaneF in that some crimes can never wholely be repaid, however, such a way of exposing criminals to protect others may be difficult with the reasons DrS has mentioned. Dr K Ashutosh, I appreciate your comment, and of course as clinicians we do not hold such powers. But power lies in the people, and we are citizens afterall. As doctors, we have many pathways and guidelines to protect patients including children from any form of abuse. As valuable members of society, i think it is important we hold these conversations because we have access to society at large. It is within our nature as clinicians to protect our patients, medically and socially. Tatooing may not prevent crime as such, but to me it stands as a protective measure for the public. I would know to stay well away from an abusive man whom i've met and wants my number, for example. Whether people have paid their debt to society or not, the stats show that criminals most likely reoffend, and i believe protecting those who may be at the hands of these criminals is more important than considering their feelings regarding their crime. |
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Re: Should criminals be tattooed with the crime they committed
posted at 6/5/2012 9:08 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 3045
First: 27/3/2012 Last: 20/5/2013 |
Many thanks Dr. researchPO for your ability to express the thoughts & extraordinary powers of perception, which I find rare nowadays. I do agree with your concept regarding 'permanently marking' a criminal. A great idea in reality. |
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Re: Should criminals be tattooed with the crime they committed
posted at 6/5/2012 11:11 PM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 579
First: 8/6/2011 Last: 22/5/2013 |
Nice trilogy . I think that the penalties should be stricter. But it don't think that we could resolve these problems by making tattoos... When somebody gets out of prison , our scop should be for him : 1) to not comit any crime again, and 2) to be reintegrated in the society. Because if he or she will not manage to reintegrate then the most possible is that will follow the same patological ways as before ( or new ones wich have lernt from others in prison ) will be in the margin of the society and will commit crimes again. So when somebody gets out of prison he is allready facing a great difficulty to reintegrate in the society. If we mark him . It is almost possible that he will never manage to reintegrate . And in this way the possibilities to become dangerous again rishe a lot! And when the victim will see the tatoo on the beer belly will be again too late... |
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Re: Should criminals be tattooed with the crime they committed
posted at 7/5/2012 9:51 AM BST
on bmj.com
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*Moderator*
Posts: 1452
First: 7/4/2011 Last: 25/5/2013 |
I thought the Swedish version of the film was great. The part where she tattoos 'rapist' on his torso was revenge for his years of abuse. What was weird about this part of the story was that someone I know works with people who have been abused and one of their patients did exactly the same thing but cut the words 'rapist' on the offender's forehead. Personally I don't think this is a good idea. As some have said, giving someone a tag for life can hinder their rehabilitation and perhaps marks them out as a criminal rather than someone who needs help. Of course, you cannot excuse evil acts and maybe some people are beyond help, but I think people deserve a chance to sort themselves out or at least try to seek help. |
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Re: Should criminals be tattooed with the crime they committed
posted at 7/5/2012 10:50 AM BST
on bmj.com
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Posts: 71
First: 3/4/2012 Last: 31/5/2012 |
Yes, I can see tatooing hindering any chance of rehabilitation, which I believe is very important for society as a whole. Having said that, rehabilitation in the UK is lousy and there needs to be more funding/research into this. I do agree with Pat Lush, that good parenting plays a massive role, so I suppose for the sake of future generations, may be doctors can play a role in assisting/promoting good parenting. I understand that there are some parenting workshops available in some hospitals, posters I have noticed while strolling through hospital wards. I think its a brilliant opportunity, especially for the increasing teenage pregnancies in the UK. This obviously isn't the answer to criminality as a whole, but it might be a start? |
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