SaS to Propose Educational Measures for Inclusion in Penal Code Amendment

Bratislava, 2 December (TASR) - Opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party MPs will submit amending proposals to the Penal Code amendment because it doesn't contain any measures of a correctional/educational nature, SaS representatives told a press conference on Tuesday, adding that theft should be treated as a criminal offence as soon as it is committed for the second, and not the third time, as proposed by the Justice Ministry. After a second theft, a court could order the perpetrator to undergo training in a correctional facility as an educational measure without serving a prison sentence yet. "Once there, the perpetrators would be able to see for themselves that 'this is where I'll end up if I don't abide by the laws of this country'. And if they are stuck in a cycle of problems, they'll be taught during the training how to break out of it," said MP Maria Kolikova. The amendment to the Penal Code is currently being discussed by Parliament. The three-strikes rule should be reintroduced for petty theft, with repeat offenders becoming criminally liable in the case of repeated thefts. Offenders should be sent to prison for two years after committing a similar offence against property three times within one year. The government has blamed the higher rate of petty theft and aggression by the perpetrators on the media, which supposedly "carried out a disinformation campaign", and some political leaders who "misleadingly informed the public that theft is non-punishable and pays". jrg/df