Sunday, January 07, 2018

A little mild capital punishment would do us all good

This morning, in prison, I was searched for the first time I can remember in years and years. A recent inspection and report revealed numerous flaws in different aspects of the system at Swansea but as there frequently seem to be staff and general financial cutbacks it's no surprise.

Swansea is a Victorian prison designed to accommodate 268 men but usually holds between 400 and 600, with many of the inmates locked up for 22 hours a day. It was also criticised for its care of vulnerable offenders: since 2014 four have committed suicide during their first week in prison.

Almost as bad as the report are some of the comments on the online news report many people saying basically the prisoners get what they deserve with one commenter writing that he supported 'mild capital punishment for drugs, theft and white collar crime.' Hm, I'm not sure how mild capital punishment could be ...

5 comments:

Sharon said...

That's pretty packed! Is that part of their punishment?

nick said...

Prison reformers have been banging on for years about how prisons need to be geared towards rehabilitation and not just locking people up most of the day. Needless to say, they're always ignored as all the government wants to do is cut costs and serious rehabilitation would cost a hell of a lot. The net result of course is a massive re-offending rate.

SmitoniusAndSonata said...

What are they supposed to learn from being locked up for years? On the other hand , what are they supposed learn while they're in?
My father taught an A level English class, part-time, in jail after he retired but he felt the sensible ones were doing something practical.

Liz Hinds said...

Not intentionally, Sharon, but would certainly be for me.

Funding for restorative justice courses has been cut in spite of proven results, Nick. The prison is a grim place.

Education has suffered from cuts, sonata, as have the drug rehab schemes. And experienced officers have to re-apply for their jobs which often go to cheaper alternatives.

Mike Tea said...

'Mild capital punishment? A short spell of death followed by beer and a sandwich? It is troubling how thoughtlessly judgmental people can be. Some would bring back debtors' prison, birching, and trial by combat. Ducking stool anyone?