Comments on: Jonathan Aitken http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2007/11/jonathan-aitken/ The inside track since 2003 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:10:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Rathfelder http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2007/11/jonathan-aitken/comment-page-1/#comment-77706 Rathfelder Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:17:45 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=1629#comment-77706 The idea that the world can be divided into good people who tell the truth and bad people who lie and get sent to prison is a bit simple. I am no fan of J Aitken but getting people who have actually some personal inside knowledge to participate in policy discussions is what we advocate in other areas of life. Why not prisons too? The idea that the world can be divided into good people who tell the truth and bad people who lie and get sent to prison is a bit simple. I am no fan of J Aitken but getting people who have actually some personal inside knowledge to participate in policy discussions is what we advocate in other areas of life. Why not prisons too?

]]> By: jailhouselawyer http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2007/11/jonathan-aitken/comment-page-1/#comment-67843 jailhouselawyer Wed, 25 Mar 2009 02:55:13 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=1629#comment-67843 <a HREF="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/mar/24/in-praise-of-jonathan-aitken?commentpage=1" rel="nofollow">You might find my comments interesting</A> You might find my comments interesting

]]> By: jailhouselawyer http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2007/11/jonathan-aitken/comment-page-1/#comment-67841 jailhouselawyer Wed, 25 Mar 2009 02:45:17 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=1629#comment-67841 <a HREF="http://jailhouselawyersblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/jailhouse-v-jonathan-aitken-round-1.html" rel="nofollow">Jailhouselawyer v Jonathan Aitken (Round 1)</A> Jailhouselawyer v Jonathan Aitken (Round 1)

]]> By: Merseymike http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2007/11/jonathan-aitken/comment-page-1/#comment-23644 Merseymike Fri, 16 Nov 2007 12:18:26 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=1629#comment-23644 I think that Aitken should do as profumo did - and concentrate on helping others, not seeking self-aggrandisement. But I expect nothing more from the Conservative party. To call IDS's shebang 'independent' is a joke - its typical hard-right religiously influenced traditionalism dressed up as something new. I think that Aitken should do as profumo did – and concentrate on helping others, not seeking self-aggrandisement.

But I expect nothing more from the Conservative party. To call IDS’s shebang ‘independent’ is a joke – its typical hard-right religiously influenced traditionalism dressed up as something new.

]]> By: Lobster Blogster http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2007/11/jonathan-aitken/comment-page-1/#comment-23227 Lobster Blogster Wed, 14 Nov 2007 14:03:50 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=1629#comment-23227 If we are in the business of handing out jobs, why not make Tony Blair a Peace Envoy? If we are in the business of handing out jobs, why not make Tony Blair a Peace Envoy?

]]> By: Jeanette NW London http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2007/11/jonathan-aitken/comment-page-1/#comment-23024 Jeanette NW London Mon, 12 Nov 2007 15:29:02 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=1629#comment-23024 Great and a job please for Cynthia Payne too although she was a good sort and a charming lady who did not try and cash in like the other toe-rags Great and a job please for Cynthia Payne too although she was a good sort and a charming lady who did not try and cash in like the other toe-rags

]]> By: Single Mother on the Verge http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2007/11/jonathan-aitken/comment-page-1/#comment-23022 Single Mother on the Verge Mon, 12 Nov 2007 15:26:45 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=1629#comment-23022 Perhaps Kimberley Quinn could take a position in family welfare capacity, or Jordan in the department for health, Victoria Beckham in the ministry of hair and Li-Lo spearhead a prohibition movement? Just a thought. Perhaps Kimberley Quinn could take a position in family welfare capacity, or Jordan in the department for health, Victoria Beckham in the ministry of hair and Li-Lo spearhead a prohibition movement? Just a thought.

]]> By: Jane http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2007/11/jonathan-aitken/comment-page-1/#comment-23017 Jane Mon, 12 Nov 2007 14:17:46 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=1629#comment-23017 As someone who has worked with offenders throughout my working life, I am very disappointed in much of this comment. I thought our criminal justice system sought to rehabilitate offenders? This man is joining other renowned individuals who have worked within the Criminal Justice System to look at our prison system. The report for an independent think tank may be used to change prison/sentencing policy. An apt subject at the present time as we imprison more people (particularly women) for longer periods than many other developed countries. Imprisonment costs a fortune - the more you build the more people end up with custodial sentences. I am hoping for a forward thinking report which may hopefully tie sentencers to prison places available etc etc. Punitive measures over recent years have not stopped offending (nor reconviction rates) - just increased costs to the taxpayer. As someone who has worked with offenders throughout my working life, I am very disappointed in much of this comment. I thought our criminal justice system sought to rehabilitate offenders? This man is joining other renowned individuals who have worked within the Criminal Justice System to look at our prison system. The report for an independent think tank may be used to change prison/sentencing policy. An apt subject at the present time as we imprison more people (particularly women) for longer periods than many other developed countries. Imprisonment costs a fortune – the more you build the more people end up with custodial sentences. I am hoping for a forward thinking report which may hopefully tie sentencers to prison places available etc etc. Punitive measures over recent years have not stopped offending (nor reconviction rates) – just increased costs to the taxpayer.

]]> By: Pete R http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2007/11/jonathan-aitken/comment-page-1/#comment-23003 Pete R Mon, 12 Nov 2007 13:06:40 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=1629#comment-23003 Not tetchy Tom just dissappointed - I enjoy your blog but on this issue I am sorry you couldn't resist a cheap shot. This man has paid his price and I believe has learnt a lot from the experience. In my opinion he's a much more humble and reformed character than Hamilton or Archer and having seen 'inside' from the inside may well have some good ideas about prison reform. Not tetchy Tom just dissappointed – I enjoy your blog but on this issue I am sorry you couldn’t resist a cheap shot. This man has paid his price and I believe has learnt a lot from the experience. In my opinion he’s a much more humble and reformed character than Hamilton or Archer and having seen ‘inside’ from the inside may well have some good ideas about prison reform.

]]> By: Stuart http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2007/11/jonathan-aitken/comment-page-1/#comment-23000 Stuart Mon, 12 Nov 2007 12:57:03 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=1629#comment-23000 As a Labour party member who has spoken personally with Jonathan Aitken about these issues I must admit I'm disappointed by your comments. I think Jonathan has a lot to offer on prison reform and this is too serious an issue to play party politics with. He served his time and makes no excuses for what he did. Urgent action is needed in our prisons and extra help is also needed for prisoners who are released so as they don't re-offend. I think his idea for post prison mentoring is excellent and is something the government should look at. As a Labour party member who has spoken personally with Jonathan Aitken about these issues I must admit I’m disappointed by your comments. I think Jonathan has a lot to offer on prison reform and this is too serious an issue to play party politics with. He served his time and makes no excuses for what he did. Urgent action is needed in our prisons and extra help is also needed for prisoners who are released so as they don’t re-offend. I think his idea for post prison mentoring is excellent and is something the government should look at.

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