Vocal Voices

It seems that the inmates of our UK prisons are having a lovely time beating up each other - and the guards, and the powers that be, don't seem to know what to do about it. Surely the simple answer is to keep the prisoners locked up in their cells if they can't behave themselves. We don't have to give them the freedom of the outdoor facilities. After all, they are in there as a form of punishment, and prison life should so hateful that, when released they will vow never to return. The fact that so many ex-prisoners re-offend is, surely, a clear indication that our penal service is not operating as it should do. We are too damned lenient with criminals. Of course, I can understand why Parliament is not keen on getting tough with law-breakers - they might offend too many people. This is just one of the downsides of democracy I suppose.

Are you happy with our treatment of criminals?

I have a family member who went to prison, a friend also, and a family member who is a prison officer.

Not one of them has the answer to this, but they all agree on prison uniforms, restrictions to certain facilities - radio and TV etc. - and time in and out of cells.

Workingman wrote:I have a family member who went to prison, a friend also, and a family member who is a prison officer.

Not one of them has the answer to this, but they all agree on prison uniforms, restrictions to certain facilities - radio and TV etc. - and time in and out of cells.

I have a son who went to prison. He talks about "warehousing" criminals until it's time for them to get out and do it all over again, hopefully without being caught.

For me the idea is that it should be a deterrent. However there also has to be an alternative to keep the right one's OUT of prison after they get out. That is one of the biggest areas society is falling down. I've seen it where kids and young adults wind up in Jail and then keep on going back, over and over, for a lack of other options until they are institutionalised.

It's never simple but the more they make it like a holiday, the less people will fear it.