waht has caused the increase in prison population?

Question

prison population in 1995 was 55, 000, at present it is around 80,000 and is predicted to rise to 106, 000 by 2013.

im sorry, my statistics here are referring to England and Wales and from the homeoffice site.
i am from Malta (not British)

Answer 1

Lots of reasons:
- many more criminal laws; since Thatcher governments have acted to increase the public perception of crime so that they can appear tough and thereby gain votes
- Net widening; a great many more people are criminalised now where they have not been before e.g. ASBO's
- Failures in the 'bifurcation' in sentencing; the use of fines has plummetted with an associated increase in the use of custody
- Increasing use of custody for women, children, those with mental health problems and those with substance misuse problems; Most of which would be better managed in the community.
- Failure to make appropriate use of community sentences
- Failure to adequately deal with the causes of crime; Some gestures have been made but have not been substantial enough e.g. Surestart

The increase in immigration is not a significant factor, despite the assertions of many here

Answer 2

Hi Lara,
There is a simple answer.
Greed.
In that the search for wealth has driven loads of folks to theft, burgulary, fraud, etc,
Also the needs of druggies. I class myself as one, as they say alchohol and drugs.
Alchohol is a drug, and I like my beers.
But I don't go out commiting crimes !
I came across a group of teenagers at our local supermarket running around, just picking stuff up and rushing out.
What to do ?
OK hands up time.
Many years ago I was arrested for being over the drink-drive limit after attending a good freinds funeral.
Bad boy.
I had a wonderful few summer days digging out a pond for the local scouts to boat on.
No problem, and it taught me a lesson.
Prison would have been a waste of time and taxes.
I feel that Magistrates handing down custodial sentences is often a mistake.

Heck, if you say to kids, as I do to my two boys, it's easy.
Mischeif yes, we all do that, but just don't go beyond the law.
So maybe poor parenting results in this alarming prison population.

Bob.

Answer 3

This problem has been going on for a number of years of people entering the country on the backs of the lorry drivers. I know someone who had people on his lorry/truck coming from Europe to the UK, without his knowledge. He was not aware they were there, they get on board when the driver makes stops for overnight etc. He ended up getting a huge fine and taken to court, and the people got deported back to their own country. The problem is as a truck driver he could NOT prove that he had not allowed them on to his lorry (truck). It took him a few years to pay the fine off, and he would have changed occupations but he didn't have the skills at his age to change jobs. As for obeying our laws well no they won't. Their their actions can not justify their desire or want to enter our country illegally in reference to this story. Remove the benefits system, housing, health care, free school meals, free unemployment benefits. People will stop coming, illegally why else would they choose the UK to come to? Why not Spain or France?

Answer 4

Tighter gun control laws are reflected DIRECTLY in stastistical information which indicates rising crime.

Also, because your socialist governments no longer allow society to teach personal responsibility (as in the question I just answered where the guy was whining because he could smell his neighbors' cigarette smoke and it offended him) and morals and values in schools. You teach that everyone is equal when in reality, human nature makes the individual struggle to come out on top, but most of those practices have been made illegal so naturally you will have more criminals.

Answer 5

The law is becoming less tolerant of criminals and alot of immigrants go to prison also....the rise in population is a factor and the rise in crime......dont believe what the governmaent says about crime going down thats BS

Answer 6

People pass more and more laws so they can look tough on crime and get re-elected.

Also, private companies who run prisons need people to be arrested so they can make a profit.

Tougher drug laws and tougher laws on drunk driving have also swelled the prisons.

What state are you talking about?

Answer 7

A target driven police force and criminal justice system who arrest children , addicts and the mentally ill and jail them.

The UK has more children in jail than any other of the richer countries.

England, especially, jails people because it is cheaper than giving residential treatment on the NHS to those who need it.

Answer 8

Mandatory minimum sentences have a lot to do with it. Judges are forced to give a certain amount of time regardless of the details of the crime. It takes away their ability to judge.

Answer 9

I am going to blame part of it on the economy and part on stupidity. The economy sucks so people are doing more deperate things. Also stupidity, the drug crime rate is going up.

Answer 10

Police really do blame and say its the pot smokers kids that's the generation they facing . If that's true imagine the crackhead kids when they old enough to 'play'