Tough on crime. I believe this passionately and feel the lack of deterrent, among many other things, is contributing to this ever increasing rise in the number of people in prison. Few criminals, if any, respect the law or the police.
Ken Clarke’s recent speech about radical prison reforms to ‘shut the revolving door of crime and re-offending’ certainly caught my eye, as he described prison as ‘a costly and ineffectual approach that fails to turn criminals into law abiding citizens’.
Indeed, an adult prisoner costs more per year than the Eton school fees. And, with more than 85,000 people in jail, the bill runs into billions of pounds.
The New Economics Foundation (NEF) says that we now imprison a greater number of children and young people than any other western European nation and each costs £140,000 a year.
My view on prison is simple: it works insofar that those in prison cannot re-offend. However, according to the Prison Reform Trust, 60 per cent of short sentence prisoners are reconvicted within a year of release and re-offending is rising.
Interestingly, the Prison Governors’ Association confirms it’s had some ‘stunning successes’ with serious and persistent criminals jailed for longer terms. But the simple truth is that too many people are being sent to prison.
So, how do we harness these young hoodlums and turn them round. Can I suggest a mouldy, uninviting and barely edible carrot – at least that’s how the offender would see it.
My first idea, in the absence of national service and to save money, is to amalgamate all our border agencies into one force, with a land, sea and air capability and a service structure.
Then, perhaps working on the ‘three strikes and you’re out’ principle, the courts would ‘sentence’ young offenders to a term with this force, for say a minimum of two years.
Here, fostered by professionals and monitored closely, they’d learn about discipline, friendship and selflessness.
Importantly, they’d develop their self esteem and learn both practical and life skills. Having done their time, those wishing to stay on could do so.
Similarly, those nearing the end their sentence could be given the option of joining the force in exchange for early release.
Those refusing to play by the rules would go straight back to prison.
Mr Clarke wants tougher community punishments, involving private and voluntary groups, which would be rewarded on how many prisoners they rehabilitate, re-house and employ.
I believe the pendulum has swung too far for community sentencing to work, however ‘tough’ it is.
What’s needed is good old fashioned discipline, leadership and an environment where the boundaries are simple and clear.