The Great Train Robbery

On the 8th August 1963 several men took part in the robbery of a mail train en-route from Glasgow to Watford, making off with £2.6 million- a considerable sum today but even more so back then! Now 46 years later one of those men, the now infamous Ronnie Biggs has applied for parole, due in part to his deteriorating health.

Jack Straw, the Home Secretary, has quite rightly denied him this. Deserved not only for his efforts to evade justice, however heroically they may have been portrayed since, but for his and others lack of concern as to who they injured in their efforts to steal the money, most notably the train driver who was hit with an iron bar and suffered trauma headaches until his death in the 1970's. As sad as it may be for his family as his health deteriorates further, he has had several strokes in recent years, the same concern should be given to him as he gave to others and that means keeping him firmly behind bars.

A separate but important issue that has been raised again through this is whether a politician should have any say in how long a prisoner is kept behind bars. Regardless of what the crime was this decision should be solely up to those responsible for sentencing and that is the judges. Anybody that could be swayed by fears of re-election problems if the wrong decision is made (in the publics eye anyway) should not be given these powers. Although the right decision, as in this case, is often made this practise needs changed to ensure everything is open and above board.