No room for quick fixes in the prison system

11.01.2010

As we move into the silly season leading up to the election, let’s hope for less point scoring and more sensible and rational debates around criminal justice. With the Tories now thankfully back tracking on the expansion of an already expanding prison system, will they dare to stand by their rehabilitation revolution?

It is absolutely pointless pouring more money into prison places if it is not supported by well invested programmes inside prisons but most importantly, then replicated outside in the community.  If a new government really wants to impress the public, and critically, victims, then it must rethink just where it spends its limited resources.  Surely common sense tells us that family and educational support, drug and alcohol programmes, housing and employment remain the core to reducing someone’s offending behaviour?  No more quick fixes, please.

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