What is the point in young offenders prison places?

[humptyismarriedtoanumpty]

Am very with (d)ss. He has just come out from his 3rd spell in prison. DH is devastated and what makes it worse is that dss seems to think it is all one big joke.
Basically, he was in court a year ago and given various punishments including a fine and community service/unpaid work and probation. He didn't pay one penny of the fine (which was compensation to his "victims") and after a warning, did a couple of weeks in jail instead.
Me and DH are but he was chuffed because the fine was written off.
Then he didn't bother to do community service or probation, again had a warning and ended up back inside twice more. Again me and dh are but he thinks it's excellent as that's his whole sentence done and dusted at very little inconvenience to himself????

We saw him last week and he was explaining that in the young offenders place although you spend a fair amount of time locked up, you get a tv with freeview to watch.
Now I understand being locked up would be hard to deal with, but if you are only ever in for less than a month, it seems like a perfect excuse to lie in bed watching E4 and some free music channels all day.

AIBU to think this is a total farce?

I would imagine one of the reasons broken tvs are seen as priority job in YOIs is that the kids spend so much time in their rooms that the tv is used to keep them quiet.

Understaffed institutions full of angry young men with nothing to do are pressure cookers.

I doubt if its because the authorities want to pamper the little dears.

Thanks a lot maryz
We have already reported him for benefit fraud and will also report him as soon as I find out if he is definately planning to apply in the wrong name.
As somebody said, a short sharp shock is exactly what he needs, to hit rock bottom and then he can turn himself around, but 2 weeks in Young offenders didn't quite hit the spot and it frightens me to think what will have to happen for him to realise what he's doing

I agree in that you came across very odd in your OP.

You're right though in that short sentences don't seem to work. Your dss is sadly really typical of lots of young people his age. it's something silly like 60% will re-offend within two years and end up back inside. So don't feel you're on your own. I only wish I knew what the answer is. I'm don't think the answer is longer prison sentences, we have the fullest prisons in Europe as it is.

Why didn't they stick with the community service option?

Does he have a good relationship with his dad? I just wonder if there's someone who can give him a serious talking to? It sounds like it's quite comfy at home for him.. (grasping at straws I may have misread...)

it is kind of crossed off after a few years, I think. With the crb checks, there is a period after which the conviction is spent, and therefore doesn't impact for life. I think it depends on the crime. DH had a record for criminal damage when he was 21 (don't ask, not big, not clever) but still passed a CRB at 36. So these "minor" things aren't a life thing, and I think the OP is sensible to be reporting where she can.

Driving offences do seam to be a slap on the wrist from what i have read lately.
If its a shock you want him to have how about trying to find a local group or someone who has been a victim of a road crash. Obviously not any of the familes involved in his offence.

I'm a "victim" of a road crash i wasn't directly involved but due to a relatives death in the crash I am If that makes sense. Maybe if he can see the wider picture from his actions it will make him realise the full consequences of them. Just a thought