Death in Armstrong

[Merry]

What is the objective of putting people in prison? Is it to make the public somehow feel better because the bad guy is feeling the pain of revenge? Or should it be to prevent the recurrence of this behaviour when the convicted person is released? Obviously it should be the latter. Just punishing does nothing. People without life skills who just sit in a cell for a few years will come out of jail with the same lack of skills............. and go right back to crime, because it is what they know.
Prisoners who acquire skills while in jail are far more likely to go straight after their release. The recent cuts to the prison system has gutted the rehabilitation programs like the prison farms, technical education programs, and post secondary education. The prison farm actually helped feed the inmates on top of teaching them something. But then that land had value and could be sold to a developer. And that would create another contract to supply the food to the prisons that the farms no longer produce. It's just a raid on the public treasury. And it won't help reduce recidivism one bit. In fact it will increase it.

While I agree that rehabilitation is a far more desirable goal than revenge, we must face the fact that there are some people who simply cannot be rehabilitated. It has been shown that no amount of counselling helps child molesters and serial killers; such people are incapable of being rehabilitated. Therefore, such people need to be in different prisons (with a different focus) than your average "everyday" criminal.

I don't want people like Clifford Olsen and Paul Bernardo locked away for life just because I want revenge. I want them locked away so they can't do to others what they already did to their previous victims. Society needs protecting from people like them, and locking them up for the rest of their lives is the only way to do it.

Rehabilitation is fine for the more "petty" criminal, and potentially successful for many. But for some of our more hardened criminals, in particular those who are sociopathic, rehabilitation efforts are futile.

[OnTheRoadAgain]

There is rehabilitation for those who cannot be rehabilitated (most often mentally ill) through medication.
Trouble is, when not incarcerated, one cannot be forced to take it.

[ClarenceandSylvia]

There is rehabilitation for those who cannot be rehabilitated (most often mentally ill) through medication.
Trouble is, when not incarcerated, one cannot be forced to take it.

It's called a transorbital lobotomy.

[kelofornia]

You suggested sending convicted criminals to Antarctica would cause the crime rate to drop. My point was that I doubt it, considering we already punish convicted criminals in a number of ways and still have crime.

Your statement depends on an individuals definiton of PUNISHMENT. I don't think you've visited any correctional facilites.
"Club Med" is more the lifestyle for most imprisoned for their wrong doings today.

[CorkSoaker]

Your statement depends on an individuals definiton of PUNISHMENT. I don't think you've visited any correctional facilites.
"Club Med" is more the lifestyle for most imprisoned for their wrong doings today.

Which correctional facilities have you visited and in what way do they resemble "Club Med"?

[Frisk]

Bail sought in van Diest murder
by John O'Connor - Story: 81665
Oct 10, 2012 / 3:00 pm

The accused murderer of an Armstrong teen only glanced at the victim’s family as he entered BC Supreme Court for a bail hearing Wednesday.


Photo: Contributed - RCMP
Matthew Foerster is led away by police following his arrest
The family of 18-year-old Taylor van Diest, who was beaten on Halloween night last year while walking to a friend’s house in Armstrong, will have to wait at least another day before hearing the outcome of a bail hearing and application for venue change for the accused, 26-year-old Matthew Foerster of Cherryville.

Van Diest died in hospital following the beating.

The defence counsel has applied for a change of venue to Vancouver in the van Diest murder as well as bail.

Foerster faces a first-degree murder charge of van Diest as well as other unrelated charges, including one count of sexual assault and unlawful confinement of a Kelowna escort worker in April 12, 2005 and an assault on a Cherryville woman in 2004.

Foerster is scheduled back in BC Supreme Court in Kelowna Thursday morning.

[the truth]

Your statement depends on an individuals definiton of PUNISHMENT. I don't think you've visited any correctional facilites.
"Club Med" is more the lifestyle for most imprisoned for their wrong doings today.

Which correctional facilities have you visited and in what way do they resemble "Club Med"?

club med is a figure of speech, they get 3 meals a day plus canteen, warm bed , free medical care,all the bs meds they want. watch free tv. free gym etc etc hence club fed

[the truth]

Bail sought in van Diest murder
by John O'Connor - Story: 81665
Oct 10, 2012 / 3:00 pm

The accused murderer of an Armstrong teen only glanced at the victim’s family as he entered BC Supreme Court for a bail hearing Wednesday.


Photo: Contributed - RCMP
Matthew Foerster is led away by police following his arrest
The family of 18-year-old Taylor van Diest, who was beaten on Halloween night last year while walking to a friend’s house in Armstrong, will have to wait at least another day before hearing the outcome of a bail hearing and application for venue change for the accused, 26-year-old Matthew Foerster of Cherryville.

Van Diest died in hospital following the beating.

The defence counsel has applied for a change of venue to Vancouver in the van Diest murder as well as bail.

Foerster faces a first-degree murder charge of van Diest as well as other unrelated charges, including one count of sexual assault and unlawful confinement of a Kelowna escort worker in April 12, 2005 and an assault on a Cherryville woman in 2004.

Foerster is scheduled back in BC Supreme Court in Kelowna Thursday morning.

if the judge gives this guy bail and or even changes venue , the judge should be fired

[coffeeFreak]

Thank goodness bail was denied!

http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/81725/Accused-murderer-denied-bail

[motorhomebabe]

I am so happy that this animal did not make bail. I was outraged that he would even try.My mind says we have to give this animal his legal rights. My heart says Noooooo!

[bob vernon]

Bring back the lash!!

[Snickerdoodle]

Is no one else concerned about the lack of movement this case has had. To me it screams that the defendant is just using these as delay tactics. Is there any lawyers out there? By delaying this trial over and over again, could he then argue that his right to a speedy trial has not been granted and use this towards his benefit? Or perhaps I've watched too much Law and Order?

[jsowezenko]

I agree...they need to get this trial underway. It would be a very sad day if he could use the fact that he did not have a speedy trial to his advantage. The family needs closure, as well as the community!

[Graphite]

I believe the last article I read said that he himself was switching lawyers which lead to the delays. I cannot very well see that leading to his complaint there was a delay to his "speedy trial". Whatever that means.

[Donald G]

My appreciation to the citizens and police who worked together to identify and amass the evidence to charge Matthew Forster and his father. Lets hope that our often 'less than adequate' Criminal Court system will come through without the usual 'deal making' that enables the accused to plead guilty to manslaughter ... and be back on the street in a few years.

As usual (and permitted by our weak court system) the accused and his lawyer are doing everything possible to delay the trial in the hope that something will happen to one of the witnesses or something similarly untoward will enable him to evade being judged for his (apparent) horrible deed. Also to enable the accused to amass more "2 for 1" time in jail. Psychopath?

What 'freedom' does that fall under? Freedom from too long in jail?