Prison Sentence for Committing Economic Crimes
By KasperNymand
@KasperNymand (60)
Denmark
May 9, 2011 2:50pm CST
Earlier today, I watched in the news, that an adult man have got a prison sentence of three years.
The reason to this harsh sentence, was that he had committed a serious systematic exploitation of trust, and "cheated" for about 5,4 million Danish Kroner (DKK) (about 1,03 million US Dollars (USD)), and that gave him a unconditional sentence of three years in prison.
This is not the only example of harsh sentences because of economic matters, and it happens in the most countries, worldwide.
I think it's a little too much, to imprisoning a person in years, it might not be particularly harsh prisons, but they could for example do some community service instead, and they might maybe even learn something from it, instead of sometimes "just" sit in a prison, and maybe be a even "worse" person because of other negative people in there.
After all, it's actually just money the person have "cheated" with.
But what do you think, is it right to imprisoning people, "just" because of economic matters?
If you stood in that situation, and could choose between to be incarcerated, or to do some community service, what would you choose, and why?
Do you have some other examples of people who have been imprisoned for a long time, because of economic matters?
2 people like this
7 responses
@TheMetallion (1834)
• United States
10 May 11
Companies are made of people. If companies are defrauded of money, then the investors and employees of he company are harmed by that. If a company has to go bankrupt because getting cheated out of money means they can't stay in business, the people who lose their jobs are harmed.
There's no such thing as "just" money. If you don't understand why, go for a week without any of the things you or your parents spend money on -- you know, things like shelter or food -- and your perspective on the matter will change.
@KasperNymand (60)
• Denmark
10 May 11
I fully understand that many people may be harmed by this people's cheatings, and for that the person shall have a sentence, I fully agree with that point.
But, I think it's a little bit different to be without a job in Denmark. You'll still get your salary, from your unemployment insurance fund, in some months after you have lost your job. Beyond that, you'll also always get a specific amount of money from the state every month, incl. other help like Courses, until you find a new job to have. And if you're under education, you'll get some amount of money from the state, too.
Many services is also "free" in Denmark, like schools, hospitals etc.
So it's actually only food, house, gas and things like that, you have to pay for, with these money.
But I fully understand how sour it must be to lose the job, and those other people who lose a bunch of money on the cheatings.
So, now I actually better "understand", why this man should have three years, and other people in other cases.
@KasperNymand (60)
• Denmark
9 May 11
Of course they shall have an sentence, but isn't three years a little too long?
I think about 1 year and 6 months might be okay.
Of course some people and/or companies, may have lost some money. but no people have been hearted, it's "just" money.
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
10 May 11
Harsh? Hardly! The people he harmed are ruined because of what he did. He's just a thief, & all thieves deserve harsh punishment. Had I been the judge, he'd have gotten 20 years, with a chance of parole after 15 years. "Harsh" would be "life." Three years? Piffle.
Maggiepie
"There's a special place in Hell for thieves, & it's right next door to where bureaucrats are kept." ~ C.L. Crouch, artist/poet
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
10 May 11
Yes. I did sort of have that in mind...
Maggiepie
"There's a special place in Hell for thieves, & it's right next door to where bureaucrats are kept." ~ C.L. Crouch, artist/poet
Maggiepie
"There's a special place in Hell for thieves, & it's right next door to where bureaucrats are kept." ~ C.L. Crouch, artist/poet
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
10 May 11
One of the reasons for prison sentences is to discourage crime. Several years ago a Dentist overcharged Medicare by $1 million dollars over a 10 years period. When he got caught his lawyer worked out a deal to pay a $100,000 fine and serve probation time for a number of years, and giving up his license to practice dentistry. This in exchange for no prison time. The Dentist later commented when asked if the punishment bothered him and he replied that he would pay $0.10 on the dollar any day. The point is the punishment must be a deterrent to the crime not how to make the criminal feel useful. The case you cited he cheated with money but how did that effect the people that were cheated and what was the fall out to other people. When he gets out of prison he can start over while the people he cheated are still dealing with being cheated even if it was only money.
@KasperNymand (60)
• Denmark
10 May 11
I fully agree with your point, and how it might affect those people involved.
I'll suggest you, to read my answers in the 4th comment.
@TheMetallion (1834)
• United States
9 May 11
Yes, actually, if we are going to put people in jail as a penalty for criminal behavior, theft and fraud should be things for which we put people in jail. Frankly, I'm curious where you get the idea that 3 years is a harsh sentence for a crime of such magnitude. How many peoples lives did he ruin because he fraudulently took their money?
@KasperNymand (60)
• Denmark
9 May 11
He "cheated" some people from another construction company because he told them, that he had some customers for them to service, but he dosen't.
Of course, he should be punished for what he have done, but why should he sit in a prison, why couldn't he do some community service, and hopefully get something out of the time he spend of his life in there.
So that he can "work" some of the money back to those the person owes.
That might also get the everyday to go a little faster.
@TheMetallion (1834)
• United States
9 May 11
Why should he be treated differently from any other thief or con artist? Or are you suggesting that no thieves or con artists should go to jail?
@petersum (4522)
• United States
9 May 11
There is nothing "just" about a million dollars! That's a serious amount of crime! How much community service do you consider is right for a million? At least in prison, there is a chance that he will start squealing and tell authorities where the money went.
@KasperNymand (60)
• Denmark
9 May 11
Of course a million dollars is really much of money, and that might be hard to "payout" with community service, but I just don't like the idea of to confine a person because of money.
We actually know where the money is, he have just lived a little too expensive, and paid bills with those money.
He have actually got monthly bills of about 100.000 Danish Kroner (DKK) (about 19.200 US Dollars).
@wandos (3)
• South Africa
10 May 11
That is not a lot if you consider the following - he may JUST have scammed one business, but say that it is a private business owned by three individuals who's livelihoods depend on it, as that of their families. Because of the scam, the company folds and they are left with little/nothing and maybe even debt that was used to get the company up and running. I am a forensic accountant and let me tell you, the so-called 'softer' white collar and economic crimes have a much 'harder' impact on peoples' lives that society admits. Three years is in no way harsh or even mildly so.
@KasperNymand (60)
• Denmark
10 May 11
Again, I fully agree with this point, and how sour and affected the people and businesses involved, might be of the case they've been cheated into, without their "agreement".
I'll suggest you, to read my answers to the 4th comment.
