A free society is essential in countries in order for people to prosper and live good quality, meaningful lives. One of the key parts to a free society is, and must always be, a strong criminal justice system, to punish those who do wrong, stepping outside the law. However, punishing and deterring people is not enough. There must be justice for innocent, law abiding people affected by criminals, so they can feel society is working in their favour, preventing criminals from causing them harm and - most importantly - protecting the people. Over the years, Governments have announced measures that are perceived as softening prisons and what prisoners have to experience. Quite rightly, this message has not resonated well with the British people, in one survey 80% thinking prison is far too soft. What are the main issues surrounding prisons? What can be done to ensure prisons are tougher, but still humane, places? And how will this be felt by the people?
To see what is wrong with UK prisons, one only needs to look at the statistics. Self-inflicted deaths have increased by 13% in the 12 months to September 2016 with 102 prisoners taking their own lives this year alone - the highest since records began. This could be down to a number of factors, and while of course every case is different, general reasons could be intimidation by gang ruling, mental health issues that aren't being properly looked into, not wishing to spend time paying for the crime. Of course these are a just a handful of possibilities, but issues that must be addressed nevertheless. The general respect towards prison officers, the majority of whom do excellent, valiant work looking after prisoners, has severely declined. Assaults on prison staff increased by 43% from June 2015 to June 2016, showing a clear lack of respect and understanding of authority, which many prisoners suffer from coming into jail. This can therefore lead to gang rulings, with prisoners thinking they can get away with anything, seeing prison as a holiday not a place to pay and reflect on the crime committed. This is reinforced with nearly half of first time prisoners re-offending, clearly seeing prison as a better quality of life than society, showing a deep distaste for being a good citizen. The percentage of prisoners re-offending increases after every offence and stint in prison, which shows no improvement. Excessive rewards and banned placebo are rife in the prison system. In 2015 nearly 17,000 mobile phones and SIM card were found in prisons – an increase from just over 7,000 in 2013. Prisoners have very easy access to wide screen TVs, pool tables, junk food and, most dangerous of all, drugs. It's laughable that in an institution where the law should be tight and maintained, it is so easy to take cannabis, cocaine and other illegal drugs. While the majority are from fellow prisoners, some are flown over in drones, and occasionally, the drugs are being dealt by prison officers. It's no surprise that prisons are seen as a holiday when there is so many chaos, lack of order and no punishment being felt for crimes committed, What is required for prisons is immediate reform, An ideology that says, as a prisoner, you will work hard, pay for your crime and be punished. An institution where prison officers are in charge, not mob ruling gangs that pry on vulnerable inmates. Prisoners should be given bare minimum, but humane, levels of dull food and drink. Prison should turn into a place people do not want to return to; a place so uncomfortable and against everything normal civilization stands for that it will have both punished an deterred the criminal from committing another crime. Rewards should be small, only given when reward is deserved and incentivize prisoners to work harder. There should be far stricter checks for prison officers, to ensure the minority whom given the majority a bad name are not employed, along with general respect for everyone. I believe these ideological changes, warped into criminal justice should create a humane, decent prison where prisoners will behave. When a criminal enters prison it is right they are given full security - sometimes for their own safety - but lose essential liberates, such as the right to vote. It is also right that are made to face up to the crime committed. It is essential the reform is there, so the people can value a criminal justice system that works for them.
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Author:Noah enjoys writing a blog and drinking tea Archives
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