Do you think that in a civilised society prison should only be imposed for the most heinous offences?

But all these good schemes for reparation in the community are very labour intensive. They need a generous supervisor/offender ratio, and the supervisors need to be selected and trained so that they help the offenders to develop their own sense of worth and responsibility, and don't treat it solely as punishment. How do you manage and fund that in todays economic and political climate?

Yes, agree about non-violent crimes being punished in the community, and I would include intrusive crimes like burglary when people are at home as being serious enough for prison sentences. One-man crime waves are a particular problem, as communities get such relief from their offences whilst they are in prison. I would individualise punishment by profiling them and their offences and keep them from offending by making them work or engage in education under supervision at the times they tend to offend (yes, even in the middle of the night and at weekend), and have them under lock and key during downtime, until they have etablshed a more responsible attitude. Protests about human rights to a family and social life don't wash with me when they are busy depriving others of those rights.

It is interesting that in the eyes of our society crimes against the person tend to rank lower than crimes against property. Short prison sentences are a complete waste of time and money and clearly do more harm than good. Prison should be reserved for those who have committed very serious crimes, which should always include crimes of violence, and for those who are thought to be a danger to society. Rehabilitation and education should play equal roles with punishment. Large numbers of prisoners are illiterate and innumerate – how does anyone expect such people to find legitimate work when released?

I should like to see a prison system whereby basic necessities are provided but luxuries, such as access to television or even an armchair have to be earned either through educational attainments or sheer hard graft. If only serious offenders with sentences longer than 12 months were imprisoned, such a system might be more effective than the present warehousing.

Yes, I agree that prison is not the best for many crimes - but it should certainly be used for crimes of violence.

I too believe (non violent) thieves of every description - embezzlers, shoplifters, burglars etc should have to make restitution and do community service. I believe drug use should not be a crime anyway, but drug users who commit crimes to finance their habit should have to go into rehab.

I'm against anything without a victim being a crime.

I really don't think prison terms for violence and murder are long enough. I do think, though, that some form of rehabilitation should take place in all jails.

You know, most criminal activity relates back to a childhood without good examples, safety, love and discipline. More should be done to protect kids from chaotic, violent, savage families.

Of course, nothing will change because change costs money and money is god.

Grannyactivist - I heartily agree with everything you say. The prisons are full of people who are mentally ill, alcoholic or drug addicts. People who have been in care , ex-servicemen and black men are disproportionately represented too. Imprisonment is used as a way of putting 'problem' people out of sight.
The real villains, the ones who run the drug rackets, money laundering, people traffickers, corrupt policemen, judges, bankers and politicians, are virtually untouchable. They can afford bribes, lawyers and accountants. When high profile crooks are finally caught, they often end up in open prisons, or with cushy jobs like librarians.
It will be interesting to see what happens to Rebekah Wade - I am not going to bet on her ending up in Holloway.

I've just watched the first episode of'Growing up Poor' on iPlayer. Three 17 year old girls, all having been brought up in poverty play out their lives for the camera, and I find it very sad to imagine what lies ahead for them and for their children. The links between crime and poverty are clear and yet fines for impoverished people (children in this case) are still used as, what? Deterrent, punishment? I have no answers, but as a country I think we need to be looking at the criminal justice system and identifying what works and what doesn't. We need to be acknowledging the links between poverty and crime. Please don't think I'm saying that poverty causes crime; that would be simplistic and untrue, as I know first hand. There are all sorts of issues that need to be examined - think for example of the socialisation of children and how their values, morals and social perception of the world are (at least initially) shaped or influenced by their caregivers.
We most certainly need to be keeping our experienced Probation Staff and allowing practitioners more say in how systems are run; rather than having government 'experts' making policy based on the latest fashion, or what they think will get them the most votes. We also need to look at our 'adversarial' judicial system and accept that the main beneficiaries of this are the legal profession.

I guess that all depends on what a civilised society sees the purpose of imprisonment: protection of society /punishment /retribution/rehabilitation etc.

When it knows that it can then develop a prison service that reflects what it wants it for.
If GB needs to reduce the number in prisons then may be in some cases the 'punishment' could better fit the crime e.g more serious financial deprivation for those who have committed fraud /financial crimes rather than incarceration. Perhaps fining/deducting % of income /savings/property in a way that reflects the level /impact of the crime would be a more effective punishment?

Also greater use of 'detention' ie evening and weekend prison for some offenders! I believe this is used in some European countries with some proven good outcomes.

Sadly there are some people who are not civilised MiceElf and prison is the only place for them. That aside I do think there are people in prison who probably shouldn't be there and others walking around the streets who should be in prison.

I think somehow we need to get to the route cause of why people reoffend. For theft, burglary , drugs and alcohol related crimes is it because their life is so hopeless and they cannot see anyway out?