The early release scheme it's a gimmick and helps no-one but criminals. Just build more prisons.

This page 5 is full of useful facts. Thanks to all the Posters.

fancythat, maybe it's too complicated to make such a dramatic change?
Maybe we don't have the experienced practitioners in our system, or suitable premises?

Okay, we are now on page 6, but go back to page 5, if you wish, as it's full of information.

winterwhite

Graphite that is spot on re too many women in prison and scarcely any for violent offences.

It will be essential that enhanced and extended rehabilitation schemes aren’t seen as a low-cost alternative. This is what happened to Community Care and mental health with the results that are all too clear today.

Some years ago I had a young friend who wet to prison for housing benefit fraud. I visited her in Holloway and then an open prison in Kent.
It was very sad to hear ( from her) how many of those women in prison were the victims of abuse, including her.

Maremia

Okay, we are now on page 6, but go back to page 5, if you wish, as it's full of information.

As I posted on the previous page it can be done. Norway have and still do.
But the cost is far beyond our means.

fancythat

But if it is cheaper?..

I cant work out what I am missing.

I cant work out what I am missing.

A government has 4 years to prove itself to the electorate.

A scheme that will benefit the economy that can't be worked into that timeframe and which will require additional funding and resources is unlikely to be met with enthusiasm by said electorate, the media and the Opposition.

Electorate:

"What do we want?"

"A solution to all our current problems"

"When do we want it?"

"NOW"

Thank you for that information. Makes sense.

Maremia

This page 5 is full of useful facts. Thanks to all the Posters.

fancythat, maybe it's too complicated to make such a dramatic change?
Maybe we don't have the experienced practitioners in our system, or suitable premises?

I would hope we did, but you could be right.

It may have been already said, but apologies, why oh why releasing violent criminals?? why not release the non violent ones first if absolutely necessary...???

I fear it is not all about money but a lot about our more punitive society

That could be right too.
We still have a long way to go in this area.

Last Friday, an unexpected call from the Parole Board made Angela Wright’s* blood boil. Barely three years since her neighbour was convicted of her rape, she was told that he would be freed after serving less than half his sentence through the Government’s early release scheme – the plan to release an estimated 2,500 murderers and rapists from September due to prison overcrowding.

She spent the best part of a week “in turmoil” until Thursday afternoon when, following backlash over the planned early release of two of the three killers of Pc Andrew Harper, the scheme was temporarily “halted”.

“It gives me breathing space, for now,” the 63-year-old says, adding the fact that it is only paused – not scrapped – is “terrible”. She found out about the proposed halting of the scheme only after seeing an article online. “The Parole Board is quick enough to tell you things in favour of the perpetrator, but they’re not very forthcoming with information about my situation. (The Daily Telegraph today)

Seems to me it's all about the criminals taking care of their needs but what about putting the victims and their rights and concerns first, no rapists, murderers or anyone convicted of GBH should be released early

This lady's stress and anxiety following her rape is understandable. She's moved 40 miles away from her rapist who was a neighbour rapist to an undisclosed location so hopefully she now feels safe, or at least as safe as she can ever feel after her trauma.

As she says she feels she "has breathing space for now" so only for a temporary period until her rapist is released- which ofcourse he will be.

Some counselling may help her- that she doesn't need to pay for herself to help her prepare mentally for the release of her rapist.

Meanwhile, prison overcrowding, lack of capacity and risk management of prisoner release still needs to be addressed. It's not an either or situation.

Few have mentioned the privatisation of prisons and cutting of experienced staff under austerity. Now someone can be a prison officer with just a few days training- many have been recruited from overseas too, no wonder drugs , illegal phones and other contraband are rife in prisons.

I agree vegansrock- it's not just prison capacity that is a big problem it's necessary to have sufficient, appropriately trained custodial prison officers, round the clock to staff the prisons safely.

Delaying this early release scheme for a short period whilst AB is reassured about the probation service risk management aspect of early release may help the wheels keep turning.

Halting it will cause chaos and big problems within weeks that will reach all the way back to police custody suites (i.e. no prison spaces for those charged needing remand for public safety until their cases can reach a court trial). That could lead to more bail applications with someone that should be remanded in prison still being in the community and posing a risk of harm.

Harm in the community versus victims that need counselling and support to come to terms with the early release of their perpetrators? Some tough trade offs and choices needed in the immediate and coming weeks.

I can't quite see what trout pouts have to do with a serious issue, in the same way as I can't see how being advised to wear Spanx helps any situation at all.

polnan

It may have been already said, but apologies, why oh why releasing violent criminals?? why not release the non violent ones first if absolutely necessary...???

Just the non violent ones only please.

It seems blindingly obvious to me that sex and violent offenders shouldn’t be released early.

The majority of female prisoners have histories of being abused. Often as children and usually as adults in heterosexual relationships. Women are still likely to be the sole or main carer for children. They are often repeat shoplifters but less likely to have been convicted of violence. We should use prison to protect society. We must invest in early years, children and families, mental health and addictions.
Preventive and support systems were devastated by austerity, so many good services closed or inadequately staffed or financed.
I so hope this government maintains focus on service provision.
Probation officers training used to be funded by the Home Office, often after being ancillary staff in Probation.two year course with practical training in various relevant settings. Social workers usually came financed by the local authority where they’d worked as social work assistants. IMO we would benefit from reverting to training sw and probation on similar courses to the Certificate of Qualification in Social Work. It meant mature students with a variety of work and life experience were accepted on courses.
Now, we have 18 year olds doing a three year degree course. They build up huge student loans they’re unlikely to earn enough to pay off their debts. They’re too young and lacking necessary life experience imo

Of course austerity also led to experienced prison officers being made redundant, with 18 year olds employed in their place
Senior managers in la social work teams made redundant, replaced by less experienced staff.
Probation privatised and destroyed.
We need good public services and refocus on health and preventive work.
Right I’ll stop ranting now.

It's one of those areas in which more and better focused investment would benefit all of society,
so,
if Burnham suggests it, we should support it.

We need good public services and refocus on health and preventive work.

Could not agree more.

When you have privatisation of services, fragmentation and under funding then society pays the price.

Scandinavian countries invest in their people as a cooperative rather than setting them one against the other with competing services led by the profit motive.

We have moved so far away from anything vaguely cooperative and preventative that I see no way back under our flaky political system with its media led short term thinking.

Early prison release demands investment in proper supervision and support of those released. Quite simply this does not happen.

Luckygirl3

*We need good public services and refocus on health and preventive work.*

Could not agree more.

When you have privatisation of services, fragmentation and under funding then society pays the price.

Scandinavian countries invest in their people as a cooperative rather than setting them one against the other with competing services led by the profit motive.

We have moved so far away from anything vaguely cooperative and preventative that I see no way back under our flaky political system with its media led short term thinking.

Early prison release demands investment in proper supervision and support of those released. Quite simply this does not happen.

Scandinavian countries invest in their people as a cooperative rather than setting them one against the other with competing services led by the profit motive.

Norway has private GPs, private specialists and private hospitals. It also has some private schools - regulated by the state. The difference is that the private sector largely operates within a publicly funded universal system, where access for patients remains the overriding priority.

As you say, Norway invests in its people on the basis that a successful economy rests with the people who work in it and healthy, happy people function well when accommodated. Who knew!

Who knew indeed 🙈. Most people who ever worked with mh, offenders, children and families that’s whom🌞

Not ranting Iam64, just stating facts.

No early release for violent crime and especially murder. The term given should be served, end of. Make them work as well not sit around.

Not too bothered if they are 'sitting around' Allsorts.
More supervision is needed in a work environment.

Allsorts, prisoners prefer to work. One problem is enough staff to supervise , some men in cells all day

A friend was governor at a prison where men went out to work. Very rare for one to fail to return. Lower recidivism