[user104658]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

That's as maybe. There is a simple principle that is the center of the issue here. Was she responsible for her own actions, yes or no. If she was, then she deserved a prison sentence, if she was not, then she should have gone to a medical facility.

No-one that has contributed to this thread knows that. That is for the judge and the court to decide, and guess what, they did and she went to prison. While its good to have a balanced debate and care for those that are not mentally stable. It should be acknowledged that there are actually some bad people in the world that deserve all they get, and if that means a prison sentence, so be it.

There are people in the world who are just bad / corrupt, certainly. The type of people who drink themselves into oblivion and live in filth, however, are mentally unwell. You could make the case that she may well be both, I suppose, but the argument that she is a psychologically normal person? It just falls flat. Psychologically normal people just don't live like that.

Also, just to add... this idea that things are "for the system to decide" and that their decisions are beyond scrutiny / untouchable / not up for debate? Nah. You'll never get me to agree to that, it's authoritarian nonsense. Not only are their decisions fair game for examination and debate... it is the duty of anyone who actually cares about justice to do so. Because whilst our justice system - in global comparison - is still a fairly good one... it is FAR from perfect. A long, long way.