Prisons are not working.....

“The reformed prisons of the 1800’s with their new emphasis on rehabilitation were invented to destroy the criminal personality and to generate new life and a new law abiding identity. Predicated upon violence the prisons proved successful in terms of creating suffering and death but have failed miserably in terms of creating new life” – Dr David Scott (Open University) (2018).

Going to prison can destroy family bonds rather than create new positive connections. When leaving prison a person can find themselves lost, isolated, lonely and alienated. Too many prisoners leave with minimal or no skills, many returning to chaotic and unmanageable lives. Prisoner reoffending rates are high, with approximately half of the prison population reoffending within one year of release.

Furthermore, self-inflicted deaths within the prisons reached an all-time high in 2016, with 119 people taking their own lives in prison. It is also reported that there were 37,784 self-harm incidents and 25,049 assaults on prisoners. Throughout 2017 we also saw a large number of prison disturbances.  - BBC News. (2018). Prison suicides rise to record level. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38756409 [Accessed 2 Aug. 2018].

Prisons are highly regulated institutions, but, also places which are now overrun with drugs. The proliferation of drug use in prisons, alongside other problems, is further evidence that prisons are not working.

It is believed that holistic and effective community provisions are more likely to help offenders by making sure they receive the correct treatment as well as accessing employment support. This also helps to keep and encourage family ties and bonds.

Here at Johnson Astills we specialise in criminal defence work, we can attend police stations 24 hours a day and attend both Magistrates and Crown Court, with our own Solicitor Advocates being able to conduct Crown Court matters.

If you find yourself suspected of any offence please give a member of the Crime Team at Johnson Astills a call who will be able to assist, where we will also fight for the best possible result in in your situation.

With offices in Leicester and Loughborough we are able to attend a number of local police stations, whether an interview is conduct voluntary or under arrest.

For more information on the members of the Crime Team at Johnson Astills please visit our people page