AIBU to wonder why we care so much about overcrowding of prisons?

[Ellie126]

Just that really. It’s prison. For people that have committed horrific crimes. Why are we giving it a second thought? Granted, I know some crimes are less ‘severe’ than others but they should still serve the sentence they were given. I can’t believe this is even a political issue right now!

if overcrowding is really issue, should capital punishment be given to the most SERIOUS offenders? For example for the two men that abused and assaulted that poor adopted boy. If they’re taking up space… that would solve the issue? They have no place in society and we certainly shouldn’t be worried if they feel cramped!!

Of course - doesn’t matter if they’re related… everyone should be safe at work, although I imagine if you sign up to be a prison officer, one is aware of the risks involved. Just like if you’re in the military etc etc.

My issue is more to do with the releasing of prisoners as a way ro reduce the overcrowding. I think convicts should serve the sentence they were given (unless subsequently proven innocent)… imagine if you’re a relative of a murder victim? Rape victim? Those people didn’t choose to be a victim, their attacker chose to assault. Prison officers choose to be prison officers and so realistically we should be protecting the general public from dangerous people and not releasing them

So there needs to be more prison building - maybe coming to a suburb near you! I don't disagree that dangerous people should be locked away to protect the rest of us but herding them into inhumane conditions is not the answer and will only lead to more violent dangerous men leaving (nearly all men) once they have served their entire sentence. Maybe.release the 80 year olds in prison for holding up cardboard Free Palestine placards if there are any of them still inside - they weren't going to hurt anyone. There should be a different kind of punishment for non-violent offenders of all types, one where they are very closely monitored but that will require investment in staff. I once read about a system somewhere (maybe Sweden) where offenders with jobs only went to prison at weekends allowing them to support their families and maintain their employment. A civilised society ought to be able to find a way of dealing this without treating human beings worse than animals.

Maybe

Another post looking for the return of the death penalty under a different guise. Although it's a change from benefits bashing can you just sod off.

The UK is better than that.

Some of us care about the rights of the victims, not those who deprived them of said rights.

It doesn't sound like you give a toss about prison officers and their working conditions. Is making inmates' lives as unpleasant as possible really more important to you?

To free up prison places they need to save them for the most violent and repeat offenders. Sending people like Lucy Connolly to prison for a tweet is absolutely batshit and I bet there's plenty more similar stories.

Judges maybe need to go on a course or something to get with it regarding custodial sentences

Surely they are just low paid little people anyway? Thats how it seems to me.

You do realise that their is a high correlation between homelessness and re-offending and returning to prison don't you?

Thank you Thepeopleversuswork. This.

I agree.

Could you expand on what you mean by 'low paid little people'

DO we care so much? I feel like I've been hearing prisons are overcrowded all my life and nothing has changed. Probably because politicians are well aware that making life more comfortable for prisoners isn't a vote winner.

I think the main problem with prisons is the number of criminals who come out no better than they went in, having learnt nothing, no better equipped than they were before to make a living honestly. They should be doing something productive - work, education, vocational training or some combination of the above - eight hours a day. Or let's say ten, given that they don't have to commute or finish work and then go home to do housework or childcare. I'd happily see more money going into prisons if it went on that.

She incited racial hatred. A crime that can have a custodial sentence.

Minimising it by saying she tweeted is fundamentally dishonest. Why would you try to minimise racism? Do you agree with it?

Build more prisons. Will create jobs in the construction industry while they are being build and then jobs for the prison officers etc once they are open, it's a win-win situation for everybody.

Simple solution is to deport the 10,000 foreign prisoners then they will have enough room for all the hurty wordz lot AND one or two violent thugs/rapists/ murderers

Did Elizabeth Fry just pass you by completely?

The main problem is that capital punishment is rightly not legal so how do you implement that?

Like it or not prisoners are in the care of the state and we have a duty to look after them safely.

The answer is we need more prison space for those who deserve it and alternatives to prison but those who want people locked up are unwilling for their tax money to be paid on it.

For all offences then?

@LagerLady am I to assume from your silence that that you wouldn't be willing to do the shooting yourself? You want some other person to take on the responsibility and trauma of murdering people in cold blood?

I do not see a reason NOT to reintroduce capital punishment. We need to rid ourselves of the whole "every human life is sacred" nonsense. When someone has proven over the fulness of time to be unable to obey the law and respect their fellow humans, to the point of killing others, surely it is time to say enough is enough?

Burnham has paused early release although I’m not sure how it will work, people will be entering the prison system and will need somewhere to go.

Well said

I don't agree with capital punishment. Sentencing guidelines need to be reviewed so only the most violent and repeat offender gets a custodial sentence. You'd think its be obvious tbh.

Surely you are not suggesting that a democratic country that abolished the death penalty years ago should start killing off prisoners simply as a means of dealing with overcrowding ?

The issue with overcrowding is the numbers of people being locked up in prisons not built for the numbers they now have to accommodate

I once asked a police officer whether, if everyone had access to a affordable decent home and a decently paid job, would it make a difference to crime levels, and she said, absolutely.

The country needs to tackle the problems that causes otherwise normal people to revert to crime. It won't prevent all crime but it could significantly reduce the number being incarcerated .

Its rained on his parade a bit hasn't it.