Has the public yet sussed that all these "reports" from prisons about inmates are rubbish?

Having been in prison I can guarantee...

80% of the stories about inmates are totally made up by the journalists (usually based on previous, equally imaginary, stories).

The other 20% come from other inmates - usually locked up for being liars, cheats or crooks - who make phone calls in return for payment of small amounts (I've watched them do it - indeed, I shared the profits of several fake stories about myself I fed to the tabloids via third parties whilst I was inside). A tiny amount come from bent officers or staff. And are equally fictional.

Do News of the World readers consume stories from hookers thinking "this is a reliable source"?

Are they really so stupid as to think people who sell their bodies for money are not prepared to make up stories?

Some are. But more and more are not - which is why circulation figures are dropping.

JK2006 wrote:
Has the public yet sussed that all these "reports" from prisons about inmates are rubbish?

Having been in prison I can guarantee...

80% of the stories about inmates are totally made up by the journalists (usually based on previous, equally imaginary, stories).

The other 20% come from other inmates - usually locked up for being liars, cheats or crooks - who make phone calls in return for payment of small amounts (I've watched them do it - indeed, I shared the profits of several fake stories about myself I fed to the tabloids via third parties whilst I was inside). A tiny amount come from bent officers or staff. And are equally fictional.

Do News of the World readers consume stories from hookers thinking "this is a reliable source"?

Are they really so stupid as to think people who sell their bodies for money are not prepared to make up stories?

Some are. But more and more are not - which is why circulation figures are dropping.
What has being a prostitute got to do with their moral worth?

Is their any group of people where not one of them would be willing to make up stories for personal profit?

Prostitutes are just people JK.

Hookers are prepared to sell things for money Zoo - I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that but it does imply they would be more prepared to lie for cash (in both senses of the word) than - say - nurses.

Just as you wouldn't get convicted thieves to look after your property - even if they could be marvellous at other jobs.

If you want integrity, hookers are less likely to have it if money is involved.

JK2006 wrote:
Hookers are prepared to sell things for money Zoo - I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that but it does imply they would be more prepared to lie for cash (in both senses of the word) than - say - nurses.

Just as you wouldn't get convicted thieves to look after your property - even if they could be marvellous at other jobs.

If you want integrity, hookers are less likely to have it if money is involved.
Lots of people sell things for money, yourself included, it called earning a living.

How does being a prostitute imply they are more prepared to be more dishonest or lack integrity than any other random person?

An attitude that prostitutes are somehow inherently corrupt and morally inferior is sailing very close to Tabloid murk.

They are just people JK.

Selling your body to a few sex starved strangers displays a serious lack of self respect. If you are prepared to stoop to that level then selling a few porkies for a few thousand quid might be quite tempting. It could also provide a way out of prostitution.

JK's point is arguably valid.

Shall we point out the flaws in your argument....?

As you always delight in telling everyone, you've sold many units yourself... Does that make you inherently corrupt too...

With this latest display of your own small mindedness, I have to say that you're just as bad as the tabloids you're constantly railing against.

Well judging from the responses obviously my feelings that hookers may make up things especially in the area of sex appears to be a minority one.

I shall read these stories in future with innocent lack of cynicism and shall assume that they would never dream of inventing or exaggerating for such reasons as financial motivation.

JC wrote:
Selling your body to a few sex starved strangers displays a serious lack of self respect. If you are prepared to stoop to that level then selling a few porkies for a few thousand quid might be quite tempting. It could also provide a way out of prostitution.

JK's point is arguably valid.

Erm... if I may quote from another post... "Let he who is without sin ...."

JK2006 wrote:
Well judging from the responses obviously my feelings that hookers may make up things especially in the area of sex appears to be a minority one.

I shall read these stories in future with innocent lack of cynicism and shall assume that they would never dream of inventing or exaggerating for such reasons as financial motivation.
There's no need to be sarky.

People may or may not be inclined to lie for personal gain, that I cannot dispute.

Yet, the idea people will lie because they are prostitutes is unreasonable.

The visible side of prostitution is the rather sad creatures hanging around streets plying their trade which is rather unpleasant and I'm willing to accept those women are acting more out of desperation than choice.

Desperate people will probably be more inclined to lie for personal gain but that is because they are desperate not because they are prostitutes.

The only prostitute I have known did so by choice. She took her advertising card to police station and asked what she could and could not say. They were very helpful. After about 5 years she packed it in having bought a house and established a rather nice nest-egg.

She was most certainly no less "moral" than most other people I have met.

Why I find the generalisation of prostitutes objectionable is typified by the Yorkshire Ripper case. It was only when an "innocent" victim was killed that it became a matter of concern.

The "innocent" victim being a nurse has uncomfortable reverberations with your comparison of a more decent member of society - although IRC the Tabloids did side track on a "maybe she was a prostitute too and therefore not so innocent".

Tarnishing somebody simply because of who/what they are is something you have been on the wrong end of. I agree that you think it was unfair to you but I also think it applies equally to other people.

As I said before, they are just people.

JK, in case you hadn't noticed, we ALL tend to lie when it comes to sex.

Everyone does it...

Back to the original point - the front page of the Sun; smuggled in mobile to get pic of Pete Doherty; story that he's on heroin in the Scrubs...

The papers love getting "stories" from people who are quite capable of making them up about people not in a position to deny them.

And they are quite happy to encourage or assist in illegal activity to do so.

Something smells very, very bad.

JK2006 wrote:
Well judging from the responses obviously my feelings that hookers may make up things especially in the area of sex appears to be a minority one.

I'm with you on this JK. If people have no moral values then its unlikely that lack of morality lies in just one area.

ANY barrister, on hearing evidence from such a person would make sure the Jury knew what the profession was - as that could have a direct bearing on whether he/she was believed or not.

Pete Clarke wrote:
JK, in case you hadn't noticed, we ALL tend to lie when it comes to sex.

Pete, when's the book coming out ?
I'll buy a copy !

zooloo wrote:
JC wrote:
Selling your body to a few sex starved strangers displays a serious lack of self respect. If you are prepared to stoop to that level then selling a few porkies for a few thousand quid might be quite tempting. It could also provide a way out of prostitution.

JK's point is arguably valid.

Erm... if I may quote from another post... "Let he who is without sin ...."



I don't think anyone is throwing stones here, zooloo. We are just discussing whether a certain lifestyle or level of self respect, or morality, makes them more likely to tell a few porkies for money. That's not a judgement, it's a debate. Prostitutes are just people, but so are murderers, rapists, fraudsters, arsonists, politicians and journalists, but each of their leanings or lifestyles influences the way they respond in certain situations. People tell lies. The type of person we are makes it more or less likely. If a prostitute wants to be free of a 'pimp' and get out of that lifestyle, and is offered a hefty payout by a newpaper, I think she's more likely to comply than someone in a more secure and enjoyable occupation.

What's the main reason people go into prostitution? Money! Therein lies the reason behind the discussion.

what's the main reason that most people go to work - money.

If i'm willing to commute every day into town to a job i dislike that makes me more likely to lie for money does it?

lets broaden it and say that all prisoners are more likely to lie for money - everyone that has spent some time in prison is far more likely to be dishonest and lie for money that those who have not. Remember that generalisations like these don't allow for the ones who believe they are innocent.

Ah, but the incorrect assumption here is that just because one is a hooker, they have no moral values...

I hate stereotyping...

I hate stereotyping too and I'm not condemning hookers at all - I'm sure I'm a musical hooker - but I am saying that - for dodgy press stories - hookers are a pretty easy way to get someone prepared to give a story and quotes that are not entirely accurate about sexual activities, just as inmates are not the most reliable sources of honest prison news - very suitable for media with its own agenda looking for people to quote to give it credibility.

No generalisation. There is a massive difference between 'going to work' and selling your body and dignity to strangers. If I'd merely relied on my final paragraph you might have had a point, but my post does clarify itself if you give it some thought and reflection.

I'm sure many prostitutes would not betray a trust, but if they are convinced that by ratting on a certain person they are doing society a favour, as well as making a few grand, then wheigh that up against the measly few hundred they made for risking their health sleeping with some guy who might give them aids, it looks like a tempting offer.

Yes, several other people would also take the money, but this is about the level of probability.

I don't condemn prostitutes for being prostitutes. Nor do I condemn them if they take money for a bit of suggestive gossip. It's not about that.

Now I really do feel we should be tolerant of people who have fallen by the wayside.Especially those reduced to prostitution/drugs etc....but..
...but those charitable feelings really shouldn't be taken to extremes.
If some poor girl is reduced by desperation to prostitution,I really do think it is fair to think there is a good chance she could take money for false allegations.
Many prostitutes are involved in hard drugs,and people doing those are more than likely to have involved themselves in all kinds of deceipt.Not nice,but unfortunately fact.
I tend not to trust any facts reported in newspaper rags like the Sun etc.A few bits of gossip can look far more eye catching when livened up with a bit of drama.
This whole Shannon business has become a media circus,distracting us from the real important fact that a young girl is missing.

Sol Exile: Thanks for leaving Brum. You always seem to mirror/repeat JK's views - never deviating. Please tell us ONE time you disagreed (sol/jk) ?

I see Shannon's mum has been remanded in custody till Nov 11th - to stand trial with the "abductor" !