Are the prisons in England full because people go to jail too easily?

Question

I have realised people go to prison for a first offence(even if it is not serious like violence) when they can have the option of a fine, suspended sentence, rehabilitation if drink or drugs played a part, or community service! Shouldnt people only go to prison if they are repeatedly offending after the above options are not a deterent, or convicted of a violent crime where they are a danger to society?

Answer 1

If you look at European statistics you will realize that the UK has the "worse alcohol problem" the "worse cocaine problem" "the worse unruly teenagers problem" the "youngest pregnancy in teenagers" etc etc etc.
All this will inevitably result in more people getting locked up, so it isn't a matter of them going in too easily in fact I can guarantee that the behaviour I see on Friday and Saturday nights on many UK cities wouldn't be tolerated in Germany, France, Spain or Italy.

Answer 2

People generally do only go to prison only if they have committed a serious offence, or they are a repeat offender committing less serious crimes. Otherwise they are dealt with my means of a Conditional Discharge, a fine, a Community Order (which can include drug or alcohol treatment, probation supervision, unapid work [previously known as Community Service], rehabilitative programmes and other options) or a Suspended Sentence Order.

However, several factors have increased the prison population recently. One is that since the Courts can now impose Extended Public Protection (EPP) sentences and Indeterminate Public Protection (IPP) sentences. The Criminal Justice Act 2003 requires that the Court must impose these for serious sexual or violent offences if they believe the person still poses a risk to society. This means people are receiving a longer sentence (EPP) or a sentence which allows detention for good unless and until the Parole Board recommends release. It is currently looking like a great many more of these sentences are being imposed than the government thought would occur.

Another reason is the large number of prisoners held on custodial remand. In 2005 according to the Home Office there were 12,864 people on custodial remand, 8,086 of whom were awaiting trial. Women are particularly likely to get custodial remand but then be found not guilty at trial.

In addition, many new imprisonable offences have been created in the past 10 years. Many of these would only attract short custodial sentences, but it increases the pressure.

Answer 3

No! It's because we have too many criminals and not enough prisons. Due to this, many criminals are constantly fined and / or given Community Orders, Probation etc. Also, many high grade criminals (drug dealers, murderers, rapists etc.) are given bail when they are caught. Many of these continue offending until they are brought before the courts. Those that are bailed with the most serious of crimes just disappear until they are caught again. If somebody has been caught carrying a gun, he should be kept in prison until the courts have dealt with him. If somebody is charged with rape or murder, he should be kept in prison until the courts deal with him. However, more and more of these criminals are set loose in society. I can't understand how our system is so trusting towards the worst scum in the country?

purplepadma - how do come to the conclusion that people are getting longer sentences? Thirty years ago, life meant a minimum of 25 years. Twenty years ago, life meant 15 years and this week alone we have seen one life sentence with a minimum of 28 years (that's the first over 15 years for decades) and another for a minimum of 8 years. I don't think these silly minimum sentences are anywhere near longer than any other time previous. In the 1960s you would have got 8 years for snatching a handbag, now you only get a £60 Penalty for mugging somebody. That 28 years was an exception as over the past three or four years, the public have been outraged because murderers have been getting between four years and 8 years on a regular basis. Rapists have been getting Community Service Orders and an average of only two years. Maybe, if life actually meant life, the majority of potential criminals would be afraid of commiting serious crimes and prisons would therefore be half empty. In London, we regularly hear of people being shot dead and suspects are arrested, charged and then bailed. There was once a time when murderers would never, ever get bail as they are likely to kill others whilst free. Many suspects disappear as well, so I suppose they are doing the Government a favour as they aren't adding to the overcrowding. The way to empty prisons is to bring back "Hard Labour", "Borstals" and the "Death Sentence". When we had those punishments, murders etc. were rare. Statistics from the 1970s show that less than 5% of those that went to "Borstal" reoffended. Today the majority of those that serve a prison sentence reoffend.

Answer 4

Do people go to prison for a first offence, how did you come to realise this?

I only ask because I've seen two instances in about the last two years where judges have been asked to consider other means of punishing (tags, fines etc.) because the prisons were full so it would seem silly to chuck people in for first offences. Which I suppose is your question in a way.

Another point of interest is that they are slowly 'privatising' the prison service anyway with more privately run prisons being built. Kinda scary that profit should be made out of locking people up. Still it will be fine, look at how 'well' (sic) the railways are maintained and run!

Answer 5

No doubt I will get a thumbs down for my answer, but... I do think that there are a lot of people that are sent to prison that maybe their punishment could be less severe, i.e community service or the like. This in turn has an effect on the amount of space for the people that deserve longer sentences.
I do feel though, that in society these days, it isnt seen as a punishment so much as a street cred thing, as are ASBO'S. If you listen the younger generation, they brag about having an ASBO, it gives them more recognition on the streets.
I have to add my personal feelings also, which are that, if by going to prison was more of a punishment, it might help a bit. Its ok for people to keep on about human rights, but, in some cases, what about the people and families of people that have had their lives taken or ruined at the hand of the criminals. Where are their human rights. I feel that by committing a serious crime, they should then have to earn their rights to have luxuries etc.
I know of a case, where a woman was viciously attacked by her husband, and her children and her Mother were terrified (and still suffering due to this) she is struggling with bills and everything, and can get no help, but the husband is in prison and having everything he wants & no worries!, & she has to answer and comply to his every wish still, as he needs to be treated fairly and it is his right! Im sorry but he has caused unknown trauma to his children by his actions at the time.

Answer 6

It seems that people are getting short sentences for horrific crimes such as child murder, yet those who commit what could be called petty crime are being given fairly strict sentences.

And you then have the ridiculous cases such as people being imprisoned for not having a TV licence or paying their Council Tax etc.

Maybe petty crime and things like fines, unpaid council tax and so on should be "punished" by community service and prisons should be kept only for the real "criminals".

Answer 7

No, we should build a prison in the middle of the ocean and have a floating jail. lol. Did you know they are thinking of opening up and updating part of dartmoor's prison which would house lots of offenders rather than them taking up police cells in cornwall uk.

Answer 8

They go to jail cos they got caught,most of them too stupid for words to express it.some have an easier life inside than outside.All the old lags used to come up to the police officers before christmas and ask to be arrested,they would even give you all the evidence to convict them,so they could be inside with the lads for xmas,well fed and warm.they were better off than most pensioners.

Answer 9

No Tories kept saying Labour were too sft so they had to get

tough. The Tories would have done the same It is just a

political game for votes

Answer 10

No its because we live in a society that thinks its cool to be thief of to kick someones head in. sad but true