Overcrowded prisons debate

[PeachesMcLean]

here

This made me feel really sad today. The "lock them up and throw away the key" comments. And worse.

I understand the judge was commenting on "minor" offences. ie not murder. Recidivism rates are so high amongst these offenders that it seems to me the prison system simply doesn't work. You can lock 'em up but 70% go out and offend again within 2 years. What, so we lock up car thieves for life?

So how does prison for these people protect society? Or is the key to sort out what we do with prisoners when they're leaving? Would that protect society more? You come out of prison, nowhere to go, so it's easy to slip back into your former ways. We need to sort this out.

Anyone any thoughts?

the overcrowding of prisons is dangerous as well as inhumane Peaches There are more likely to be riots, lock up time will be longer and there are no resources for the courses, and treatment programmes etc. that help prevent re offending.

Prisons are full of vulnerable, damaged people, addicts, young people failed by the 'care' system. The high population also means that prisoners are not placed in prisons near their hometowns - therefore directly contributing to the breakdown of families as they are unable to maintain regular contact.

It makes me sad and angry. Of course crimes should be punished, and the person who committed the offence should be made to face and address their behaviour and then be given alternatives to crime.

Political parties however are too frightened of losing votes so they announce longer, tougher sentences without providing adequate resources. Bigger budgets for the prison service are never going to be 'sexy' iykwim!!!

there needs to be a balance of punishment and rehibilitation - if not for the person - then for society as a whole and to unburden the taxpayer in the long run.

if i was the ruler of all the prisons with complete authority to make shit up.... i would. ban tv.
make the prisons self sufficient - therefore hard work and a work ethic.

provide free education and access to equipment and certification.

there - thats not hard is it

I read/heard 11,000 prisoners, that's 1/7 prisoners, are from overseas? (Do those figures sound right?).

That must feature in any debate about overcrowding and funding, surely?

(will check those figures)

I'm attracted by Custy's idea - and agree with everyone who said criminal justice has to be about rehabilitation as well as punishment.

But I wouldn't ban TV - knowing (vaguely) a prison governor, I'm sure the officers would be horrified. They have a lot of people to contain. Fewer officers than prisoners + some of those prisoners being violent people = need for co-operation from prisoners. They can't be working/learning/exercising every second of the day (even if the population was smaller so there was a chance of actually running courses for everyone).

Bigmouth is right but missed out mental illness - an awful lot of people in prison are sufferers.

Mental illness, drugs and alcohol. Can you train people without sorting those issues out first? (genuine question)

What do you make of tories using Jonathan Aitken?! He was such a slimy bugger in his pre-prison guise, it's hard to tell whether he's a reformed character or not!