User blog comment:IvyLover/How to give users infinite blocks./@comment-452-20141013015032/@comment-5558012-20141013142223

"When I became an admin, I removed all the infinite blocks the previous admins had made. None of those users ever returned."
 * I did the same (after reviewing the block/contribution histories). Most of these blocks were relatively minor showing a clear misuse of infinite blocks (written as infinite or 3000 some years).

"If someone uploads porn on a site directed at minors they shouldn't come back, ever."
 * I've only experience a single case of this nature. I blocked them for a year and they never came back. Plus if the wiki has active Admin it takes 30 seconds to a minute to issue a new block and remove the material. Yes they shouldn't come back but if they really want to cause problems they will come back regardless if you block them for a year or "infinitely."

"It does no harm to get rid of someone indefinitely who's obviously not on the wiki to help and they can always request an unblock if they decide to be constructive."
 * How do you know they've decided to be constructive as they can't edit on the wiki without being unblocked? I would hazard a guess that many of these individuals who what to do harm (especially on wikis directed to kids) are just immature.

"Repeat offenders are fair game for permanent bans."
 * Repeat is the key word.

Bottomline: I'm saying a one year ban, sometimes less, acts the same exact way as "infinite" ones. Many Admins give infinite bans too easier never giving the individual a chance to prove themselves at their own accord sometime in the future. People change and sometimes it really is a relative that used their account unexpectedly. Finally, proportional blocks are key. If someone is constantly coming back to cause the problems, a temporary block (less than six months) is pretty useless. A longer block is definitely warranted. If a couple one year blocks don't work, I honestly doubt a permanent one will either.