Something tells me that Jonathan Sheppard, of Tory Radio, quite gets why so many people are skeptical of the modern penal system.
So it seems that Alan Duncan has done it again and created a bit of a fuss about whether prison works. According to this articleby good friend Brendan Carlin in the MoS Alan Duncan has said the phrase Prison Works is repulsively simplistic.
Well I guess I am repulsively simplistic because when an offender is locked up it means they are unable to commit more crimes. Their possible victims are safe from whatever crimes they may commit. Of course there are huge issues with drugs in prison; with prisoners being released with no education whatsoever which means they may well be draw back into a life of crime. But, and it’s a big but, when prisoners are locked up they are not able to inflict pain and suffering on potential victims, and because of that Alan, prison works.
Er… so you’re saying, that for the duration of a prison sentence, during which a person is in a small room for, like, 23 hours a day, they can’t commit crimes outside of prison?
My penology lecturer would be so proud of this analysis.
When someone says that “Prison doesn’t work”, what they’re really saying is that prison gives convicts no incentive to reform once they’re out. Unless, Mr Sheppard is suggesting that we cut re-offending down to 0% by giving all crimes the life sentence?
So all prisoners are locked up 23 hour? All prisoners have small cells? I feel so bad for them? Actually I feel for the victims. For it is them who suffer. Funny how the convicted murder who escaped while on a shopping trip didnt seem to be under lock and key 23 hours? I must have got that one wrong too?
Perhaps you could ask your wise penology lecturer how many offences have been committed by prisoners on early release. For thats where the phrase prison works is so very appropriate. You see if they serve the sentence given then a great number of crimes would never have happened.
So for me the answer isn’t to release people early – but to perhaps provide more prison places. Im afraid something tells me you don’t quite understand why so many people believe the penal system doesn’t do enough to keep prisoners where they belong.