December 2003

My time back in Holland is always interesting. Last week I was there for a visit and ofcourse the inevitability follows that I start reading the newspaper for the latest news and gossip (I do it occasionally when I'm in Finland, too, through the internet, but then it's less inevidable).
The news about the new princess being born had already faded to some extend and another header caught my eye:
To jail for skipping classes.
I remember that when I still lived in Holland there was something going on about the issue, but then it was the parents of the child who were punished for the child's "misbehavior". Ofcourse it's not good when children skip classes, it's statistically proven that a lot of them end up doing little or bigger crimes, but a measure as radical as this is a bit out of proportions.
When I read the article it appeared that there wasn't — at first — real jail time, but an alternative punishment. Eventually, though, if the one skipping classes appears to be a notorious, chronical case, then he or she is actually convicted to "doing time".
Imagine... You're in jail with the burglars and murderers doing your time.

"Hey, tell me... What're you in for?"
"Mwah... I wacked a couple. They call-d me bad names and I kinda snapp-d. Coun't help meself. Whaddabout yerself?"
"Mwah... I skipped classes a couple of times... The teacher was a real bore. Coun't help meself..."