Crime and Punishment Mr. A. Hardie

“Bang them up in prison” That’ll cut the crime rate.

Prison on 21/02/2003 Prison on 21/02/2003 Population Today 71,986 Population on corresponding Friday last year 69,573 (+ 2,413)

Prison Population 21/02/2003 This Week Last Week Adult Males 57, ,079 Young Offenders- Male 10, , 413 Adult Females 3, 703 3, 698 Young Offenders- Female

Recorded crime in the UK

Prison Population By the turn of the century, British jails held more than 60, 000 people. By the turn of the century, British jails held more than 60, 000 people. The type of criminals varies greatly The type of criminals varies greatly In 1995, there were over 4,000 prisoners serving life sentences for murder. In 1995, there were over 4,000 prisoners serving life sentences for murder. In the same year 20,000 were sentenced to imprisonment for non-payment of fines. In the same year 20,000 were sentenced to imprisonment for non-payment of fines.

Is Prison the best option? Many people say that prison is not the best option. Many people say that prison is not the best option. Having mixed with other criminals they argue it reinforces criminal tendencies and on release the offender is likely to break the law again. Having mixed with other criminals they argue it reinforces criminal tendencies and on release the offender is likely to break the law again. 57% of all prisoners released in 1996 were reconvicted of breaking the law within 2 years of leaving prison. 57% of all prisoners released in 1996 were reconvicted of breaking the law within 2 years of leaving prison. Among young male offenders this percentage rose 76% Among young male offenders this percentage rose 76%

Talking Points “Prisons are the nearest thing to hell on earth that have ever been created”. (Prison governor). To send a woman to prison is to take away her family; her children in particular may suffer from this deprivation, which can lead to the break up of the home even where there is a stable marriage” (A woman prisoner)

In the morning at ten past seven we get unlocked and then it’s communal slopping out, we all empty our bowls and chambers from the night before and then we go down to breakfast, eat it in the cell, get washed, shaved and then lounge around until nine, until they open the doors again. And then we are locked up again until 11 o’clock, we’ll have half an hour’s exercise, have our dinner, go upstairs, collect the mail if there is mail, and then we are locked up again until about ten past two. Then it's slopping out again and then we’re locked up again until about half past three. Then we have another half an hour’s exercise, lock up again, then at 4 o’clock go down and get our tea, come back, and then we’re locked up again until about six o’clock, then we slop out again, get rid of our trays- and then that’s it ‘til we’re locked up again all night

More Talking Points… “Keep in mind those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them”. (Hebrews 13:3)

Punishment or Rehabilitation? “Imprisonment does not deter. We have a record number of people in prison and a record crime rate” (Robert Kilroy- Silk) “Imprisonment does not deter. We have a record number of people in prison and a record crime rate” (Robert Kilroy- Silk)

Punishment or Rehabilitation? There are 165 prisons and young offenders institutes around Britain There are 165 prisons and young offenders institutes around Britain 20% of the population are criminals needing special treatment or care 20% of the population are criminals needing special treatment or care The great majority are young men under 30 convicted of drink, drugs and car offences. The great majority are young men under 30 convicted of drink, drugs and car offences. Most are semi-literate from backgrounds where they have had little emotional or moral support. Most are semi-literate from backgrounds where they have had little emotional or moral support.

Punishment or Rehabilitation? The average UK prison sentence is one year The average UK prison sentence is one year During this time the tax payer will fund bills of twice the fees of an Eton College pupil, to keep each prisoner confined to an environment which teaches him how to commit crime more effectively During this time the tax payer will fund bills of twice the fees of an Eton College pupil, to keep each prisoner confined to an environment which teaches him how to commit crime more effectively According to The Prison reform Trust, 75% of those who have been in prison once, rapidly find themselves back inside. According to The Prison reform Trust, 75% of those who have been in prison once, rapidly find themselves back inside.

Billy, 55, author’s interview “I have been in and out of nick for the last 35 years. I reckon to have spent no more than 5 of them free. I can never get a job, I have no family- it’s the only place I really know. I feel secure inside- I’ll die inside, I know that”

How prisoners are dealt with is becoming increasingly important How prisoners are dealt with is becoming increasingly important The crime rate is rising and prisons are overcrowded The crime rate is rising and prisons are overcrowded The cost of locking people in prison is a tremendous burden on society. The cost of locking people in prison is a tremendous burden on society.

Chris Tchaikovsky “I am convinced that prisons actually feed their own future” “I am convinced that prisons actually feed their own future” “If a prison is tough it becomes important to prove that you can withstand it by hiding your real feelings” “If a prison is tough it becomes important to prove that you can withstand it by hiding your real feelings” “We have tried to publicise many cases of mistreatment and neglect but little has changed in Britain’s closed and secret prisons” “We have tried to publicise many cases of mistreatment and neglect but little has changed in Britain’s closed and secret prisons” “Prison brutalises people…” “Prison brutalises people…” “What is needed is … to set up centres where the young and disaffected can be educated, cared for and put together again” “What is needed is … to set up centres where the young and disaffected can be educated, cared for and put together again” Could “Day Prisons” be the answer? Could “Day Prisons” be the answer?

Alternatives to prison Electronic Tagging Electronic Tagging In 1999 this scheme was extended to the majority of Britain. In 1999 this scheme was extended to the majority of Britain. Prisoners are not allowed on this scheme if: Prisoners are not allowed on this scheme if:  They are a risk to the public  They are likely to run off or offend again  They have nowhere suitable to live.

Electronic Tagging Advantages Advantages  It is low cost (£4 per day) and flexible  Shoplifters can be kept at home during shop hours and sex offenders can be stopped from going out at school times  It gives offenders a chance of rehabilitation and can resettle offenders into the community Disadvantages Disadvantages  There can be technical problems (“dead spots”)  It cannot guarantee that the offender won’t reoffend.

Other alternatives Home Detention Curfew scheme Home Detention Curfew scheme 2, 914 people were on HDC last week. 2, 914 people were on HDC last week. In 1999, 5% of offenders who broke the rules were sent back to prison In 1999, 5% of offenders who broke the rules were sent back to prison Community Service Community Service It costs around £25, 000 per year to keep a person in prison, It costs around £25, 000 per year to keep a person in prison, just over £2, 200 to put someone on probation, just over £2, 200 to put someone on probation, less than £2000 for a community service order. less than £2000 for a community service order.