Can anybody tell me why today's prisons are?

Question

equipped and run like 3* hotels.
I was having a drink yesterday lunchtime and spoke with an "ex-con" He told me how the prisons are no deterrent, colour televisions, computer games, a wide range of recreational facilities. Do you think we should "Get Tough", "Get back to Basics" and make prison life a deterrant?

Thanks JH If its so bad why do so many re-offend. I"d make them crap in a bucket and eat the rats for tea.

Answer 1

Before you go rushing out and looking for chain gangs and the like just think about how you would feel if it was your father/brother/boyfriend who ended up in there.

The biggest part of the punishment is being away from the people who you care about. You get told what to do, when to do it and you only have certain privileges that can be taken away from you. You don't have a choice who you spend 16 or more hours locked up with every day. You get sent to prison as punishment and not for punishment.

I used to think that people should have a hard time in prison but having been there it doesn't make sense. Alot of people there have other problems that need to be tackled or do something stupid on the spur of the moment that land them in that position. It's hard enough to stay sane when you are there - there are alot of people who are ready to kick off and people do get assaulted or even killed in there and there are people who kill themselves too - it's not a good place to be.

When you say that prisoners have too much it isn't true. Things like TVs etc. are paid for by yourself and even the screws say that it is better taht people who are locked up in cells have something to keep them entertained. People who say they didn't have TVs in prison years ago though should remember that at that time most homes didn't have TVs. Life moves on and all that.

I was in prison in Ireland and we still had to slop out - no toilets in the cell (so we did have to crap in a bucket as you put it)- and that is pretty much back to basics. Over here you get something like €2 a day and you have to pay for your canteen stuff - drinks, chocolate, cigarettes, toiletries from that and any money that is put in your account. Again you can lose out on this if you break any rules.

Speaking from my own experience I would have preferred to be doing some work to pass the time but there aren't jobs for everyone. Most people I think would prefer to be doing something but again most people who say that prisoners should be working would give out if they were doing some useful work close to them. Some people seem to think that everybody in prison is a murderer or rapist but that's not the case at all.

Prison is a deterrant for most people - I certainly don't plan on going back but some people end up going back because they are still addicted to drugs, can't get a job and can't manage on the outside. There should be more support and maybe monitoring when people are released to get their lives back on track.

Answer 2

Yes and did he tell you about the 23 hour "bang up" if you are not on work or education? Did he tell you about the shared toilet in the corner of the cell, with your pad mate on the toilet with stomach problems whilst you are eating your tea? What about the rats who frighten the toughest officers - in the cells with the prisoners? Life in a Cat B is no fun for anyone - not even those who work there. Do some more research before you fall into the way of thinking of the vile right-wingers who do not believe in giving people a chance to rehabilitate.

Yes there are career criminals, but there are also people who make a mistake. Guys still commit suicide in prison. Look at the statistics for death in prison custody. Look at the statistics for assaults on prisoners.

After that come back and ask the above question - if you still want to.

Answer 3

In 3 star hotels you do not have your liberty and dignity taken from you.

Depends on the prison. Most people in prison should not be their anyway. There is no evidence to suggest that to "Get tough" or "Get Back To Basics" makes people less likely to offend. In fact empirical evidence suggests it has the opposite effect.

The most effective programmes have been the progressive ones, administering a pubishment whilst preparing the convicts for life outside. The UK imprisons more people as a percentage of offenders than most European countires, yet the attitude is to build more prisons.

Answer 4

IT depends on the prisons and the states! I'm kind of on the fence with this one because I believe that we have too many innocent people in prison. So I think before we start going "back to the basics" with our prisons we need to reform our justice systems so that only people who belong in jail are in jail and minimize corruption in the justice system. Which means more cops on the streets, more cops showing up for court so cases aren't dismissed, more mandatory sentencing so that judges can't let people on the streets just cuz they feel like it, stricter requirements for judges, and scientific evidence being required for the death penalty. I think this reform is much more important that the prison issues right now...even though they both could do great things for our society.

Answer 5

Prisons were not originally designed as a deterrent, they were designed as punishment, and that is what they should go back to. Make it so miserable that no one would want to go back.
I think public caning should be Incorporated in our Judaical system.
It appears that in our time, the criminal has all the rights, not the victim.
How about if the criminal had to read the victim their rights before perpetrating their crime?

Answer 6

The only deterrent is an armed victim. Most people in jail are there for victimless drug crimes. Violent crimes tend to be "heat of the moment" events, wherein the perpetrator is not necessarily being rational, nullifying any potential "deterrent" effect of incarceration.

Answer 7

I agree with ToffeeFan and J H. I think you need more info, talk to more people and get more data. I don't think that things are as good as you make it sound. Prison life is no walk in the park.

Answer 8

I think first you need to talk to more people and get more data. Going on the word of one person is hardly enough to give you a complete picture of life in prison.

Answer 9

...Which means some of the prisoners may be on yahoo answers.

That's why it is important to always ask for a photo when meeting/chatting with anyone on line who gets back to you. If you wish to chat with someone doing time, that's your right. But, know who you are chatting with.

a/s/l is not enough.

Answer 10

I've also heard of terrible conditions at other prisons. Prisons were originally designed to rehabilitate. Maybe that's why some have humane conditions.