Group discussion: Crime

Crime and punishment

Imagine you belong to a committee which discusses the following criminal offences and makes suggestions concerning adequate punishment.

These are your cases:

1. Peter Gabriel, 16, stole a car and caused an accident. His friend on the passenger seat was slightly injured and the new Mercedes was totally damaged. As he has left school without a final exam and comes from a poor neighbourhood, his prospects to get a job are bad.

2. Freddy Frinton, 19, caused an accident in which three of his friends were killed. He was drunk, high on marijuana and he drove too fast. He often goes to parties where a lot of alcohol is drunk.

3. Bert Hanson, 14, committed a series of burglaries and damaged the furniture of the houses he broke into. As he comes from a wealthy family, his main reason was boredom. He is also the leader of a trio that joined him in the deeds.

4. George West, 20, started a fight after a football match and injured someone seriously by breaking his jaw. His team had lost and he had already drunk five pints of beer. He had been convicted of assault previously.

5. Jane Miller, 18, sold cocaine and ecstasy to her school mates. One of them was only 13 years old. She uses cannabis herself from time to time, but is not addicted to any drug.

SITUATION:

The committee is meeting to  discuss the criminal offences  and makes suggestions concerning adequate punishment.

PRESENTATION STAGE:

Introduce yourself and tell the others for which kind of offences you may have sympathy and which crimes are unforgivable in your eyes.

DISCUSSION STAGE:

The participants discuss the cases.

They agree upon suitable punishments for each offender.