Short prison sentences don’t work
Survey findings from Howard League report
Short prison sentences neither reform individuals nor cut crime. That is the conclusion of a major survey of prison governors.
The main findings of the survey, which was undertaken by the Howard League for Penal Reform, found that of 223 current and retired members of the Prison Governors Association (PGA):
• eighty-one per cent of all respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement ‘short prison sentences serve to reform and rehabilitate the offenders’, with only six per cent of governors agreeing or strongly agreeing;
• seventy-five per cent reported that they considered the current use of short prison sentences between zero and six months to be excessive;
• fifty-nine per cent of all respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed when asked if short prison sentences serve to reduce crime (including by deterrence).
Frances Crook, director of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: ‘Upon arrival prisoners on short sentences might as well be handed their release forms along with their induction papers.
‘The survey confirms that those who know best – the prison governors themselves – do not believe short prison sentences can reform individuals or cut crime.
‘Compared to robust community sentences which can challenge and change people for the better, as well as giving individuals an opportunity to make amends for their wrong doing, lying on a prison bunk for a fortnight is the easy option.’
The lead researcher on the survey, Julie Trebilcock of Imperial College, London, said: ‘Our survey of over 200 prison governors provides new and important evidence about the views of these professionals regarding the use of short prison sentences.
‘The majority express concern that a short sentence rarely provides enough time to address the needs of offenders while they are in custody. The data also reveals that prison governors have some real concerns about the effectiveness of these sentences in terms of both rehabilitation and reducing re-offending.’
Comments
Are the offenders repeat or first time offenders, or doesn’t it make a difference?
By Rycro1 on 25th October 2010 - 7:11
Maybe they don’t work, in the sense of bringing about lasting change but they can be a useful part of the overall Justice system. They used to be used as a way of extending the lives of street drunks and prostitutes, as they were the place such people got some health care and regular food and rest from daily active addiction and danger. The place of a timely remand in custody also needs to be considered as a vital part in putting the brake on some prolific offenders and giving respite (as can short sentences) to those trying to care for such people on a daily basis. Then there are also the benefits of people actually realising the implications of being in prison, that is gained during the first few days - so ably demonstrated by Jeffrey Archer - in his first Prison Diary. For some that realisation is enough to influence change. The relief some prisoners get on realising that actually a 14 day sentence, might only be about three days (depending on how close to a weekend they were sentenced) is something to behold. Sadly my almost 30 year professional experience, leaves me to doubt that there is any stimulus benefits from the short sharp shock” after about 2 to 3 weeks of actual prison time, by when it is already becoming what has previously been described as a “long dull drag!”.”
By Tolkny on 26th October 2010 - 8:38
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