Why do we have the highest number of prisoners since 1997 and yet the highest number of crime.?

Question

Since 1997 this government promulgated the highest number of laws, employed the highest number of police, put the highest number of people in prison, yet the number of serious crime increases on daily basis. I just can't find any sensible answer to this ironic state of affairs in the country. Is it because Britain has the highest number of criminals in Europe or the laws do not work or the prison system is only a commercial venture with a revolving door or this government is only a toothless bulldog trying to look tough on crime. Perhaps it is because English law is like a cobweb catching little flies while the dangerous wasps get free, in other words, the wrong people are sent to prison while the real criminals run the street.

Answer 1

It is a by product of rabid capitalism; the rich get richer, and the poor go to jail.

Answer 2

I blame it all on the so called "do-gooders" Prisons today are not a deterrent. These busy bodies have turned them into 3 star hotels, televisions, video games, Central heating, good food etc.etc. You can even go for a stroll in the local town from the open prisons. Look at it from a criminals point of view, he, or she, doesn"t want to work and pay taxes. Hey lets go and rob a bank, sell drugs, burgle houses, steal cars. If we get away with it, well we can live the good life, if we get caught, well it"s back to the hotel for a little stay, meet old friends etc. Lets get back to basics, forget Cherie Blair and her cronies, bring back the "slop bucket", throw out the tellies, turn the heating off, stop the supply of drugs. Anyone who commits a crime against society has, in my opinion, no rights whatsoever and should serve the full term in an extremely uncomfortable environment.

Answer 3

Why do people think that having a certain fixed number of prison places should be correct?...Because of government social engineering we have a very high number of criminals. Instead of building more prisons to accommodate them the government just fills up the places they have and lets the first lot out early. Its nothing to do with crime prevention or saving money, it's purely political, they just hate the idea that Britain - "safe Britain" of all places has a high number of criminals/prisoners.

Answer 4

I can only speculate. I think it is because we value a great degree of freedom. Every boundary is tested. People are willing to take more risk in a "free" society. In a very competitive culture where people are encouraged and pressured to excel, the rewards for personal success can be great and personal failure can be devastating on the psyche.

For me, the freedom we have is worth the reality of having more crime. Although I agree it is very frustrating. I don't know what the
answer is or the happy medium.

I think if a person looks at the overall quality of life, within the context of historical living standards, we are pretty lucky. It is too bad some people see crime as worth the risk of prison to achieve success. Some peoples egos and expectations are too big for their ability.

Answer 5

Because we also have th ehighest number of dogooder social workers and laws that protect the offenders more than the victims. Every criminal knows that they can get away with murder (literally) and so there is now no deterrent. The ones they catch are sent to jail (for a very short time) and the ones they dont are allowed to continue.

Oooops I shouldnt have said all that as it might offend the feelings of criminals and they may feel outcasts of society. I'll have to be prosecutred and severely punished for my heinous crime against humanity.

Answer 6

It is sincerely to be wished that people would listen to the experts instead of screaming for revenge all the time.
Criminologists keep telling us that prison or even capital punishment is NOT a deterrent, the likelihood of being caught IS, also prevention, by giving endangered youngsters another goal in life than being the coolest gangster around, and rehabilitation programs in prisons.
Nobody seems to listen, even if revenge doesn't work, as can be seen, they are still shouting for more of the same old useless measures.

Answer 7

people will now come out automatically half way through their sentence, and do the rest on licence in the community, so they are still answerable to the prison governor, thus will show up on those states - but in reality will be in the community, secondly, the services such as police and probation have twice as many people to supervise, twice the paper work made by such things as asbos and government targets, so less time to deal with crime or offenders.. also the criminal traits are starting younger, the court system is fickle.. and the infrastructure is breaking down.. a cynical view of our legal system , by some one who has worked within it.

Answer 8

Because as fast as the Police try to put them away, we import a fresh batch of scum from eastern europe!!

Righ about the WASPS escaping justice, look at the difference in sentencing between victim and victimless crimes - Tax evation vs Burglary - I'd rather be caught with my hand in old mrs scribbins biscuit barrel safety deposit box, then "swindle" HM Goverment out of a tenner!

We really need to start getting tough, look at the improvements made in NYC by employing a zero tollerance approach

Answer 9

Because the working class of people in America continue to get poorer every year.

National Inflation Rate is 5% a year.

National Average for Raises is 3% a year.

It has been like this for 30+ years. The effects are now being felt.

Answer 10

The simplest way of understanding the people of Britain, is for me to tell you what a Spanish friend of mine once said. He told me that from the Spanish point of view the English [I think he meant the British] are a nation of thieves. When did you last steal a ballpoint pen?? Oh you thief. If you look in the Old Bailey online archives, you'll see exactly what my Spanish friend meant.

Answer 11

Because we are the ones who catch criminals the most. Some other countries are corrupt or don't care. In others the police are the criminals, cold but true, hate me all you want but I speak the truth.