Prison

Does it work?

How Many?

Last Week the prison population in England and Wales stood at

83,796 a 3% fall on the previous year

Why are people sent to Prison?

On 28 June 2013 the prison population in England and Wales stood at 83,796, a 3% fall on the previous year.

The Cells

• 10 feet x 6 feet• Accommodates 2 prisoners• 1 Bunk• Toilet• Modesty Panel• Desk • Chair

Community Service Order

Drug Treatment and Testing Order

Tagging

Detention in Young Offender Institution under 18

Imprisonment of an adult

Costs£3,000

£8,000

£6,000

£42,000

£20,000

Yes...

• Statistics show that the more people are in custody, the fewer crimes are committed

• A greater use of prison ensures that criminals will take notice of the maxim, crime doesn't pay

* Prison is the best way to satisfy a community's natural wish for retribution

Does prison cut crime?

No...

• Rehabilitation is best achieved in the community. Community sentences can cut crime by 14 per cent, and in 2004 had a success rate of 61 per cent

• We can't afford it. The cost of a year in a young offenders' institution is twice as high as the annual fees for Eton

• Prison only creates better criminals

Does prison cut crime?

• July 2010 – June 2011• 630,00 prisoners released• 170,000 (c27%) proven re-offended

within 12 months• Each committed an average of 2.88

crimes = c490,000 crimes• 56.5% committed by re-offenders

with >10 previous offences

Routines• On arrival strip search all clothes and

possessions removed• Uniform issued / Assigned to cell• Can be in cell for 23 hours/day• Option to work – paid up to £12.50 per

week• Option to study• Option for religious worship• One evening per week gym• One evening per week Recreation

• All phone calls to registered numbers and may be monitored

• Visits 1 per week for 1 hour Max 2/month at weekends

• Visits have to be requested in writing• All incoming mail opened / read• All outgoing mail in unsealed envelopes and

read• All visitors searched on entry

Routines

Debate• Should we have the death penalty?

• Should sentences be longer?

• Should we have corporal punishment as a deterrent?

• Should we concentrate more on preventing crime?