|
Politesub53 -> RE: Prison Reforms - You Decide (2/21/2008 2:47:32 PM)
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: LadyEllen
What we must do is several fold
1) most importantly, stop locking up the "mad" as if they were "bad"
2) reserve prison principally for the most dangerous and serious and serial offenders; and keep them in there until we are sure they are no longer capable of repeating their offences. This is harsh, but if they truly are dangerous to have loose, then this is the only way to go to maintain public protection
3) make prison for non dangerous, non serious and non serial offenders a last resort; until that last resort is reached, try everything possible to ensure compliance with the law, recognising that prison will end any ability on their part to live compliantly ever again
But it is what we as a society do upon the release of these people that is the most important element - but when we are unable to provide adequate employment, wages, housing and other resources for the law abiding, it is difficult to imagine how we might provide these to those released from prison such that they might be able to build a life, especially when they bear the mark of a criminal record and employers, landlord etc can be as choosy as they like.
E
Lady E, taking your points one by one.
1) Blame Thatcher for this, she decided to shut many of the mental hospitals in the UK, and offer care in the community but without enough resources. Open hospitals were people can stay and be treated and are able to go outside to work could be a help.
2) I agree with the concept except you can never be sure that someone wont re offend. There are a large majority of criminals who see crime as an easier way of making money than working. Many offenders come from families with a long history of prison ect.
3) This already happens in the UK. Judges are reluctant to send people to prison for a first offence unless its serious. Prison itself is also graded, so as people near the release date they get moved to a less strict prison.
Two points not mentioned are as follows, at present drugs are a part of everyday life in the UK prison. Until this is stamped out, many offenders will get hooked on stronger stuff while inside, leading to a life of crime on release. I have two friends who both got hooked on heroin while in jail, thankfully one is now clean.
The other point is about non violent crimes, even these can be very traumatic on the victim. One of my elderly aunts had her bag snatched, ten years before she passed away. She fell and banged her head but the worse part was the mental scars. From that day she was scared to go shopping, even in daylight. The mugger got community service, my aunt got life.
Blair promised to be tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime, and did neither.
|
|
|
|
