Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To say that prisons should be abolished altogether?

241 replies

ThisAvidOchreEagle · 09/02/2025 12:29

Rehabilitation and community justice models work better than locking people away. AIBU to think prisons are outdated and ineffective?

OP posts:
OnlyThickBeans · 09/02/2025 12:45

You ok to have them next door to you OP?

InfoSecInTheCity · 09/02/2025 12:45

No. I want more people in prison not less,

We barely imprison any rapists, when the very few that make it to trial are actually found guilty, the useless article of a judge decides that it would be harmful for the poor sex criminal if they had to suffer imprisonment.

When you say rehabilitation and education, how do you actually see that working in real life? Why do you think someone who has made the decision to cause harm to other people can even be taught right from wrong? It's not like there's actually any confusion over whether or not it's right to, for example viciously sodomise an 11 year old girl. No one actually thinks that that is acceptable and legal behaviour, so to do it is to knowingly and deliberately violate and abuse a child, what would you do to teach that person to not do it again?

Hobnobswantshernameback · 09/02/2025 12:44

Another bitchplop and run goady thread
<sigh>

WellsAndThistles · 09/02/2025 12:44

As long as Ian Huntly can move in with you OP 👍

Whoarethoseguys · 09/02/2025 12:44

Chuchoter · 09/02/2025 12:39

We need Prisons to be more like they are in El Salvador. Brutal and harsh.

I like to think we are more civilised than that.
I don't think legalised violence, brutality and cruelty has ever resulted in less crime

DragonfliesAboveYourBed · 09/02/2025 12:43

I agree that rehabilitation and other forms of justice are better. But there's no point pretending they are appropriate for all types of crimes or all criminals.

AquaPeer · 09/02/2025 12:43

Chuchoter · 09/02/2025 12:39

We need Prisons to be more like they are in El Salvador. Brutal and harsh.

Ah yes those highly effective prisons in El Salvador - known for its low crime rate and lack of repeat offending!

it goes without saying, they don’t work

titchy · 09/02/2025 12:42

James Timoson I think said a third of prisoners shouldn't be there, a third absolutely should be there, and the remaining third need to be somewhere rehabilitation focussed, eg open prison, tagged and on licence. So yes I agree that for the majority, prison is not the best solution - rehabilitation better for most, for the perpetrators and society as a whole.

thescandalwascontained · 09/02/2025 12:42

ThisAvidOchreEagle · 09/02/2025 12:29

Rehabilitation and community justice models work better than locking people away. AIBU to think prisons are outdated and ineffective?

I think you don't have a clue.

I know of 18/19/20 year olds in the area who have been arrested MULTIPLE times for knife carrying and actually stabbing people ... who still walk around freely after random nights in lock up. Rehabilitation will do fuck all for their attitudes and behaviour.

blackbird77 · 09/02/2025 12:41

I’d go the other way and have more prisons and come down harder on criminals personally. Look at how the megaprison in El Salvador has transformed the country. People feeling safe and happy for the first time in decades. Violent crime down 87% and government popularity surging.

I think you are seriously underestimating how much the general public want criminals out of society (and punished) and how little empathy they have for them.

Nospringchix · 09/02/2025 12:41

I agree to a point. I think it would be niiave to say we could get rid of prisons entirely, but they should be reserved for violent, dangerous offenders.
There are others in prison who could be better rehabilitated in the community so they could remain in their homes without losing children/ jobs which costs society more in the long run - especially in the case of women who are sole carers for their children.
Some offenders should always be jailed for the protection of the public.

PhyllisWallet · 09/02/2025 12:40

Whoarethoseguys · 09/02/2025 12:39

I agree for many cases people shouldn't be in prison and there are better ways to rehabilitate people but there will.always be people that society has to protect itself from.

Exactly. Not everyone can be rehabilitated.

Janelle84 · 09/02/2025 12:39

Prisons are definitely needed. They need to be harsher but i agree need an element of rehabilitation. In fact we need to build more prisons!

Chuchoter · 09/02/2025 12:39

We need Prisons to be more like they are in El Salvador. Brutal and harsh.

Whoarethoseguys · 09/02/2025 12:39

I agree for many cases people shouldn't be in prison and there are better ways to rehabilitate people but there will.always be people that society has to protect itself from.

PhyllisWallet · 09/02/2025 12:39

ThisAvidOchreEagle · 09/02/2025 12:29

Rehabilitation and community justice models work better than locking people away. AIBU to think prisons are outdated and ineffective?

You do understand the concept behind the word serial in serial killer?

Murfmeister · 09/02/2025 12:39

You little japester, you!
Though I'm sure the paedophiles I look after will thoroughly agree with you....

SiobhanSharpe · 09/02/2025 12:38

In this country, the UK, We send more people to prison per head of the population than France does.
This rate of imprisonment sould b looked at, there is cerainly a case to be made for fewer prison sentences for non-violent offenders.
However we will always need to lock up violent people, murderers and rapists and the criminally insane for the public protection.

AquaPeer · 09/02/2025 12:38

Interesting idea OP and one very worthy of discussion!

for me, the reasons why so many people end up in prison- which are known and largely preventable- need attention first.

as far as I know, there is no country that has achieved this, so very much a pipe dream for discussion rather than a realistic solution to implement

Ooral · 09/02/2025 12:38

YABAFI. Let's have murderers/rapists/molesters walking the streets.

Lighteningstrikes · 09/02/2025 12:38

LemonPeonies · 09/02/2025 12:36

This would work fine, IF we brought back the death penalty for anyone dangerous. I.e. rapists, killers and nonces as none of those can be rehabilitated.

You missed Drug gangs.

StMarie4me · 09/02/2025 12:37

Absolutely not. Some people do not belong in society. Rapists. Murderers. Child abusers. Those guilty of DA/ coercive control. GBH.

Chuchoter · 09/02/2025 12:37

Don't be silly.

vodkaredbullgirl · 09/02/2025 12:36

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Screamingabdabz · 09/02/2025 12:36

Is this research for an ethics essay? YABU obvs.