Inside Justice - what justice?
17/12/2006
I read "Inside Justice" (December MT, see also http://www.maturetimes.co.uk/node/1147) with incredulity.
This is the most blatant piece of Government propaganda ever to appear in the press. Almost on a daily basis, we read in the newspapers, see on TV and hear on radio, that offenders who have been released early from prison, have committed further serious crimes - in some cases murder.
We are told the prisons are full and there is no more room. Is it any wonder? Prisons used to be places of foreboding. Now, they are little more than colleges of further education. Every kind of course for work skills can be taken, most forms of leisure pursuit can be followed, while good quality food and heated accommodation is automatic.
We are told these people are deprived. I came from a broken home - my mother was a single parent during World War II through no fault of her own. I had a difficult childhood in Shaftesbury Homes schools, had no home life to speak of and was poor financially, but I did not rob or assault people, or break into their homes. I think I know a little about deprivation. For goodness sake, when you look at the benefits of prison, criminals can’t wait to get "inside"!
Yes, there has to be rehabilitation, but punishment must come first. Politicians and those who run the Criminal Justice system have become confused. Rehabilitation is NOT punishment. Neither is taking away their liberty. Loss of liberty is important for the safety of the public. I say again, it is NOT punishment. I would not advocate the re-introduction of the birch, but I think hard labour such as working on road-building or construction sites etc. under robust supervision with night curfew in prison as twin elements of a sentence, would stop people re-offending.
National Service should also be re-introduced. Drug users should be made to go through "cold turkey" under close medical supervision. They must accept responsibility for the foolish behaviour which caused their addiction. This tough action, would be a painful reminder in the future to keep away from drugs. Never mind their human rights and compensation!
Evan Jones