General Homelessness Becomes A Crime In Hungary.

[tom_mai78101]

Hungary's new anti-vagrancy laws — the toughest in Europe — now mean that homeless people sleeping on the street can face police fines or even the possibility of jail time.

Advocacy and human-rights groups are alarmed by the new efforts to crack down on and effectively criminalize homelessness, where the ranks of the needy have increased during the country's dire financial crisis.

Debt, joblessness and poverty are on the rise. The country's bonds have been downgraded to "junk" status, and the nation's currency, the forint, has dropped sharply against the euro.

Hungary's homeless problem is on full display at the Danko street shelter, one of Budapest's largest, where 200 or more sleep every night.

Homelessness Becomes A Crime In Hungary

Laws in Hungary have criminalized homelessness at a time when the country is in financial crisis and poverty is on the rise. Homeless advocates say the laws are too harsh, but proponents argue the crackdown is a necessary step in the road to cleaning up the country.

www.npr.org

 

[FireCat]

This people need help, job and housing, not fucking handcuffs
What are they supposed to do Disappear eh?

 

[Accname]

Depending on the prison they might be better off in jail then outside in the cold.
In many countries jails are so nice and clean today that sleeping outside is the worst choice, i would much rather try to get in prison if things really look grim.

But the law itself is pretty stupid, more over, i remember reading about something similar in a parody of the future but i cannot remember where it was.
I think it was futurama, having no job is illegal and being homeless can get you a death sentence.

 

[Wummi]

LOL THIS IS HILARIOUS.
Ok, so you find some guy homeless on the street. You fine him. What has he got to give you? Bread crumbs from the next garbage can probably, or some clothing that's worn and tear. Alright, so he's got nothing to give you, not even a dollar. Now you handcuff him and jail him. Great. Now he's not homeless anymore. Great job, government. You just spent money giving him a nice home.

 

[Danny Cross]

Depending on the prison they might be better off in jail then outside in the cold.
In many countries jails are so nice and clean today that sleeping outside is the worst choice, i would much rather try to get in prison if things really look grim.

But the law itself is pretty stupid, more over, i remember reading about something similar in a parody of the future but i cannot remember where it was.
I think it was futurama, having no job is illegal and being homeless can get you a death sentence.

Thats what i was thinking.....they might want the roof over their head...beats being outside and they have to get fed and shower and all that

 

[FireCat]

Thats what i was thinking.....they might want the roof over their head...beats being outside and they have to get fed and shower and all that

Yeah, but how long? And many people who want to work but can't find a job they will be labeled a criminals. What's your thought on that?

 

[DDRtists]

Yeah, but how long? And many people who want to work but can't find a job they will be labeled a criminals. What's your thought on that?

Every homeless person I have ever talked to said they don't care if they get arrested, because that means they at least get to sleep inside and get a meal for at least one night...
So I'd say most would probably be open to stay as long as they can, having a roof over your head and food is better than being on the streets. So you gotta work a few hours a day, thats gotta be better than being outside doing nothing for your entire life.

 

[FireCat]

Every homeless person I have ever talked to said they don't care if they get arrested, because that means they at least get to sleep inside and get a meal for at least one night...
So I'd say most would probably be open to stay as long as they can, having a roof over your head and food is better than being on the streets. So you gotta work a few hours a day, thats gotta be better than being outside doing nothing for your entire life.

Of course they want, Well, this is an easy way to get it. But what happens when they leave prison eh? still homeless. And btw: they still have a ridiculous fine to pay. "around $600"

 

[Fatmankev]

Of course they want, Well, this is an easy way to get it. But what happens when they leave prison eh? still homeless. And btw: they still have a ridiculous fine to pay. "around $600"

I feel like the point you're trying to get at would be that the money spent to put them in jail/prison would be much better spent trying to assimilate them back into society with the proper skills and means to lead a productive life. I know that this sort of help would be a waste on probably 70% of the people they tried to help, but the 30% that actually took something from it would be a far greater success than the 0% helped by being imprisoned. Or something like that. Firecat has good notions, just doesn't tend to voice his/her opinion very well. Ever. =]

 

[Danny Cross]

Yeah, but how long? And many people who want to work but can't find a job they will be labeled a criminals. What's your thought on that?

Thats what I meant, not all people are homeless by choice but to some being locked up beats being on the streets....and for how long i dont know ....peopke will take advange of the bed and food in there stomach