Protection Provided to Baby Killers After Only 8 Years Prison Time

Some may remember watching this heartbreaking story on the news. A mother was momentarily distracted at a local shopping mall in Liverpool, England. Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, both 10, were skipping school that day. They kidnapped the 2 year old boy while his mother conducted business in a butcher shop and took him for a 2 1/2 mile walk of torture.

The disturbing events that happened are un-imagineable. They beat him with brick, stones, and a 22 lb. iron bar. They shoved batteries in his mouth, threw paint in his face, and even sexually assaulted him. Those monsters murdered that child and then left his lifeless body on the tracks.

Based on security camera footage at the shopping center, those boys were caught immediately. Obviously these boys, being so young themselves, had serious psychological problems. They had difficult childhoods. All psychology aside, both boys knew what they had done was wrong. Yet they had done it anyways, and such horrible actions can not be excused by anything.

Although it is understandable that their actions may have developed out of a dysfunctional childhood, it is their willingness to pursue those actions that should be considered. At 18 years of age, those boys were both released on a "life license" (immediate incarceration if they break any terms of their release, or are seen as a danger to the public.)

They were legally and confidentially provided false identities and to rebuild their lives at a cost of £4 million in government money. By law, an anonymity ruling protects Venables and Thompson from the press in England and Wales - not Scotland, the foreign press or much of the internet.

_{James Bulger, 2 killed by Jon Venables, 10 & Robert Thompson, 10
(http://www.karisable.com/mbulg.htm)}

There have been emails circling around, petitioning against this. It is apparently done and over with, and that is sad. It is very sad what happened to that little boy. It was reported in 2004 that the boy's mother learned a tip to the whereabouts of Thompson, and that she did see him but not make any contact. As a mother myself, I can not imagine the strength she must have.

Personally, I couldn't hurt a fly, or even a spider (and I hate spiders) but if something happened to my child... I would not be myself. My behavior may land me in prison, and that would be another 'psychological reaction' excuse that doesn't matter.

My point is that those boys knew what they were doing. The fact that they were released at all, especially after only 8 years, is absolutely mind boggling. My husband was arrested on a drug sales charge and spent 5 years in prison for it. He had done this mainly to support his children, and although it was not a wise choice I look at how he spent 5 years for what he did, and then how they spent only 3 years more... and it absolutely kills me.

When it comes down to it, I guess the real question is what good is our prison system? It is used for punishment, and there is controversy over what a fair amount of punishment is for a certain crime or misbehavior. There is a lot of controversy over the prison system period, and my opinion is not fully involved in several topics.

When it comes to the death penalty, I don't support it and I don't oppose it. I really don't have a full opinion. When it comes to sex offenders, I believe they should have a sign around their neck or a tattoo on their forehead that lets everyone know what they are, and I would feel no pity for the reactions they recieve. (For what sex offenders do, in the wise words of Ron White "I don't give a damn about your rights anymore.")

Now I will return to this specific case, involving two disturbed children. They knew better. Do they deserve a right to prove that they have learned from their mistakes and should be given a "second chance"? Since I am not the mother of the baby they did such awful things to, it is easier for me to consider this as possible. Since I am a mother myself, I am persuaded more to say no, let them rot in prison the rest of their lives.

That's just it though. My opinion is bias, as a mother. As for the false identities they were given for protection, this was obviously for the safety of those criminals. This is where my opinion really gets stubborn.

The amount of money it cost to protect those two murderers, who were consciously aware of the severity of their actions, just to protect those criminals is outrageous... and it could have gone to a much better cause.

Those boys only spent 8 years in prison to face up to what they had done. They should face their actions in the real world. If they were scared of being recognized by a revenge seeking vigilante, they should have had to disguise themselves on their own. The government should not slap a hand and then bandage it and say "okay, go ahead now... you're safe." What is the lesson learned here? Government money is spent recklessly, and for the wrong causes.