Did anyone watch the C5 programme on CECOT with Richard Madeley

Ooops sorry

It was lunchtime, they had choices of prepaid sandwiches and a drink, which they had to eat in their cell. A friendly prisoner allowed me into his cell and pushed the door just almost closed to give me a “feeling” of what it would be like to be shut in, it was very small and it wasn’t nice.

Unfortunately our visit on the wing was cut short as alarms went off in the higher security wing and the three of us visiting had to be escorted very quickly back to the offices.

It was extremely interesting. A male prison and I was warned that some prisoners might cat call and they did, though it it wasn’t particularly offensive.

I know that there are a couple of members here who have actually been into prisons (not as inmates haha).

I once undertook a guided tour of Chelmsford Prison, a fairly low level prison, though does have one wing for more serious violent crimes.

We were “allowed” onto a wing, locked doors once inside

I've always understood that parole was so that prisoners had an incentive to good behaviour. In CECOT, the incentive is not to be put in solitary in a darkened cell for a month. Brutal, maybe effective, yet so open to abuse. Like others, I felt conflicted by the end. Having nothing to do all day, and no hope of release is bound to bring mental health problems, surely?

Very interesting programme. Are we too soft over here?

I didn’t see the programme. That’s just briefly what I remember from the newspaper article.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our criminal justice system was only half as tough?

There was a piece in our paper about El Salvador.
It had the dubious distinction of being the murder capital of the world as it was over- run with violent drug smuggling gangs who rampaged through neighbourhoods terrorising residents.

The ultra tough prison regime instigated by a new President has improved things so much for the population that the government’s approval rating is now over 90%

It sounds a good idea to me may be Mexico could follow suit and clean up the drug gangs.

I haven’t seen, but it’s on my radar to watch.

I have extremely mixed feelings about prisons.

It’s only my opinion, but their punishment is losing their liberty, in my opinion, all the rest of their time should be spent in reparation and rehabilitation.

Some crimes are utterly horrific and I’m not sure all criminals can be rehabilitated, but all can work towards reparation.

Victims should always come first and so much more work needs to done with victim support, quick compensation payments where appropriate and fully funded, full therapy.

So much more work needs to be done with crime prevention and with young people.

I look forward to seeing the programme, no doubt much of it will annoy/horrify me.

I watched the end of this programme and it certainly is an interesting concept.

However, I think a lot of what we saw was set up for the cameras. According to the man referred to as Psycho, interviewed by Richard Madeley, they all just get along together, chatting about the old days. Having some experience of working in a prison, I can't believe that all those prisoners, who were previously mortal enemies in different gangs, can now just sit there in large cells with nothing to do whilst reminscing about their escapades. No bullying, no arguing, no animosity?

I didn't watch from the beginning. Are there armed guards standing outside the cells, watching them 24 hours a day? That would probably explain their apparent docile behaviour.

Also, the rest of the population are obviously happy that their lives are no longer ruled by these ruthless gangs but I wonder about the long term ambitions of their Trump-loving President. I hope democracy continues for the people of El Salvador but I have my doubts.