In the editorial discussing the current state of prisons in England and Wales, it is highlighted that the prison population has reached a near-record high, surpassing any other country in western Europe with over 86,000 inmates. The government has expressed its intention to address this issue by creating 20,000 new prison places by the mid-2020s, which seems to be a matter of political consensus. However, despite this approach, evidence suggests that prisons are ineffective in their purpose.
Firstly, it is important to note that prison does not serve as a deterrent to crime, as there is no clear correlation between imprisonment rates and crime rates. Additionally, rehabilitation within prisons has proven unsuccessful, with adults released from sentences of less than 12 months having a reoffending rate of 55.1%. Moreover, the majority of individuals imprisoned are non-violent offenders, implying that the concept of justice is not effectively served within the prison system. Furthermore, prisons themselves foster a violent and harmful environment, reflected in the alarming number of deaths and incidents of self-harm that occur within these institutions. In the year leading up to June, there were 313 deaths in prison, 88 of which were self-inflicted, along with nearly 60,000 incidents of self-harm. Considering these factors, it is evident that prisons are both ineffective and costly interventions.
The consequences of this ineffective system extend beyond just the prisoners themselves. Their families, victims, and communities are impacted as well. Therefore, it is imperative to significantly reduce the prison population and abandon the costly prison-building program. Instead, resources should be directed towards welfare and community services, especially in a time marked by rising inequality and austerity measures.
After centuries of enduring systemic crises and failures, prisons should only be utilized as a last resort in a safe and secure manner. They should not be cynically employed by politicians for political gains. Such misuse may result in further casualties and calamities within the system.
Signed,
Deborah Coles
Executive director, Inquest
Joe Sim
Emeritus professor of criminology, Liverpool John Moores University
Steve Tombs
Emeritus professor of criminology, The Open University
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