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Boris Becker:'Whoever says a prison life is easy is lying–it's real punishment'(theguardian.com)
7 points by bookofjoe 14 hours ago | 7 comments
  • fernirello7 hours ago

    Transparent attempt at whitewashing Boris's image to sell some books. When he got caught hiding millions in assets to avoid paying his creditors, first he tried to bamboozle the judge. Then, he bought a worthless diplomatic passport for the Central African Republic from some guy around the Shepherd's Bush market to claim diplomatic immunity. Then, he strutted haughtily into the courtroom and declined to make any expression of contrition even after having been found guilty.

    Judge sentenced him to 3 yr and change in prison; then, just 10 mo later, some tennis-loving Crown servant decided that the way to solve overcrowding in British prisons begun with freeing Boris Becker. A policy for people who'd been in jail for a minimum of 12 mo was inexplicably applied to Boris. He flew to Germany on a private plane, landed and walked, no longer subject to any legal confinement or release conditions.

    One can't make this stuff up. Life imitates, and surpasses, art.

  • rezaprima12 hours ago

    Am I reading the article wrong or his crime is using his assets to fund his children and healthcare and then failed to pay his debts?

    • add-sub-mul-div11 hours ago |parent

      Yes, financial fraud is still a crime even if you're pure of heart.

  • MisterTea13 hours ago

    When you have something to loose then it works as punishment. For those who start with little to nothing, it's no loss. Feels like a pity party for Becker who married an educated professional woman 20 years his junior after serving his sentence and is now living in Milan. I have a hard time giving a damn what this guy experienced in the can.

    • leobg12 hours ago |parent

      You’re commenting not on Becker’s experience, but on a headline picked by a journalist for the purpose of getting clicks. In fact, it’s probably the intention of that headlines to elicit that very response you just gave.

    • Pet_Ant11 hours ago |parent

      > For those who start with little to nothing, it's no loss.

      Prison rape and violence and loss of agency is "no loss"? I'd argue the fact that in rap circles they'd rather die on the streets than go in tells you something.

      • MisterTea11 hours ago |parent

        Your view of prison is highly distorted. Not all jails are full of violent blood thirsty animals. Most people inside want to be left alone and most manage to do just that. I know multiple people who were in and they all said that if you keep to yourself you will likely be fine.