Give prison officers bonuses to rehabilitate
Prison officers would be given cash bonuses to rehabilitate criminals and cut reoffending under new Tory proposals.
A major review of prisons’ policy for the Conservatives by Jonathan Aitken is proposing that prison and probation workers should be rewarded for reductions in the reoffending rates.
Repeat offenders are currently costing the taxpayer at least £12 billion a year, according to the review. Up to three quarters of young offenders, and two thirds of other prisoners, are convicted of a new offence within two years of leaving jail.
John Coster, Editor on video
John Coster, Editor of Inside ‘n’ Out magazine talks on camera about his views on the Criminal Justice System.
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Young Offenders Self-Harm Levels Revealed
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has been forced to reveal the true scale of self-harm taking place in young offender institutions (YOIs) following a 14-month investigation by Children & Young People Now.
The figures reveal there were a total of 2,040 self-harm incidents last year and 914 assaults on staff.
The MoJ was prompted to release the figures by the Information Commissioner after CYP Now made a series of complaints over attempts to suppress them.
The figures reveal that self-harm incidents have remained at a fairly consistent level over the past three years – 1,835 in 2007 and 2,062 in 2006. However, levels have more than doubled in the past 10 years.
http://www.cypnow.co.uk/bulletins/Daily-Bulletin/news/883571/?DCMP=EMC-DailyBulletin
‘Too many’ mentally ill in prison
Thousands of people with mental health problems are ending up in jail rather than receiving treatment, the Prison Reform Trust has said.
Offering mental health and social care instead of custody would relieve pressure on prisons and could cut reoffending rates, the trust argues.
It says figures show one in 10 inmates has a “serious mental health issue”.
The government said it had made it clear that offenders with severe mental illness should be treated not punished.
Titan prisons to be rebranded as ‘cluster jails’
Controversial “Titan prisons” proposed by the Government to ease jail overcrowding have met with such widespread opposition that ministers are considering changing their name in a “rebranding” exercise.
Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary, last year announced plans for a network of three US-style extra-large jails, each housing around 2,500 prisoners.
But the idea has been criticised by the chief inspector of prisons, offenders’ charities and opposition parties, while the Prison Officers’ Assocation has warned that it would be difficult to maintain order in such large jails.
Internal Whitehall documents, seen by The Sunday Telegraph, reveal that the Ministry of Justice is considering dropping the “Titan” name because it may send out the wrong message. Instead, the planned jails could be renamed “cluster prisons”.
By Ben Leach – Telegraph.co.uk
31 Aug 2008
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2651123/Titan-prisons-to-be-rebranded-as-cluser-jails.html
Prison radio to cost taxpayers £2million
The government is planning a radio station exclusively for the entertainment of Britain’s prisoners, which will cost taxpayers £2million, according to reports.
The service would broadcast shows 12 hours a day to 140 prisons in England and Wales if the Ministry of Justice approves the idea.
The Prison Service, which came up with the scheme, claims the £2million need to start up the station would be raised from existing budgets. It has been dubbed ‘con air’ like the Nicholas Cage film.
A charity might also contribute to running costs, it is thought.
Telegraph.co.uk 20th January 2009
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/4293852/Prison-radio-to-cost-taxpayers-2million.html
Is prison life too soft?
Prisons have become so comfortable that some offenders prefer to stay on the inside rather than face life outside, a prisons officers’ leader said yesterday.
Inmates themselves have admitted conditions are like those at holiday camps, with satellite television and video game consoles on offer as well as free bed and board. Prisoners also receive wages and cash bonuses for good behaviour, while drugs are cheaper in jails than they are on the streets.
Nick Herbert, the Shadow Justice secretary, said: “It is time for a fundamental shake-up of our failing prisons system.” What do you think?
Are British prisons too soft? What would our prisons be like if you were in charge? Should prisoners be denied television and other amenities or is the isolation from family and lack of personal freedom punishment enough?
Should prisoners who behave well earn rewards? Where should we draw the line between punishment and rehabilitation?
Telegraph.co.uk – Debate / Comments
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/yourview/1905125/Is-prison-life-too-soft.html
Prison ’so cushy inmates won’t escape’
Inmates enjoy such comfort in jail that they are ignoring chances to escape, a prison officers’ leader has claimed.
In one example, a drug dealer regularly broke into a Yorkshire jail over a six-month period, using a ladder to climb the walls and supply inmates with drugs and mobile phones.
The intruder walked across the yard with the ladder and used it to climb up to a cell window, which had been pulled apart with a crowbar and covered by a dummy grille.
Glyn Travis, the assistant general secretary of the Prison Officers’ Association, said: “It was an extraordinary case because none of the prisoners inside tried to escape when no doubt they had the opportunity.
By Richard Edwards, Crime Correspondent, Telegraph.co.uk
25 Apr 2008
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1903030/Prison-so-cushy-inmates-wont-escape.html
St Giles Trust – Jimmy’s story
From long term drug addict, to voluntary adviser of prisoners, to management, to the 2012 Olympics. St. Giles Trust supported Jimmy in his first steps away from a life of offending that had spanned 20 years.
Jimmy was one of the first prisoners trained by St Giles to NVQ3 in Advice and Guidance.
Read the full success story on the St. Giles Trust website – Real life cases : Jimmy’s story
Getting results at Laude Abbey
Teams of supervised ex-offenders have been working in the 14 acre gardens at Launde Abbey, a residential retreat house on the rural border between Leicestershire and Rutland.
For the last 18 months the men and women on Probation have undertaken ground clearance work and general gardening in the grounds of the Tudor house.
In Leicestershire and Rutland supervised men and women completed more than 160,000 hours of unpaid community reparation work in a 12 month period for local charities, schools, church trusts, faith groups and Local Authorities.
Sean Reynolds, Assistant Chief Officer with Leicestershire and Rutland Probation Trust, said: “We are delighted at how this on-going project is progressing. It is essential that our range of work covers both urban and rural projects. We provide supervised teams to work at a number of religious sites and it is important to provide programmes of work that are meaningful and worthwhile.”
Tim Blewett of Laude Abbey added: “The work undertaken is of real benefit and our community is delighted to be able to support the work of the Probation Service, and to help individuals to feel valued again by society and reach their true potential as individuals.”
Read other articles from the Leicestershire Probation website