John Smith's Crime

This clip could open up a class debate. "Why do you think the child committed these crimes? What influences might his friends have had on his conduct? Do you think the sentence was fair in relation to the crime? Do you think child criminals should be sent to adult prisons? What other punishments do you think could be used instead? Why do you think Victorians used transportation as a punishment? What rights do children have today compared to Victorian children?" Then as a writing exercise, children could design a poster which could be used in a campaign against children being sent to adult prisons. They could research what punishments were used in Victorian times and which were aimed at reforming the offender's behaviour or were purely about punishment. What happened to criminals who were transported? What happens to children who commit crimes in Scotland today? As a drama exercise, children could work in groups to devise and present a role-play based on the child's story.