Prison is extremely costly, with the average annual cost being £38,000 per prisoner. The UK has the highest imprisonment rate in Europe and the prison population continues to rise, requiring more prison construction. Many prisoners face problems with drugs, alcohol, low education levels and lack of job qualifications. Over 60% of prisoners reoffend within 2 years of release. Prison may not be achieving its aims of deterring crime, punishing criminals, rehabilitating criminals or keeping society safe. There are questions around whether prison is the most effective solution and if it sometimes functions to further educate criminals rather than rehabilitate them. The high reoffending rates are also problematic for victims and communities.
12. THE FACTS! It costs on average £38,000 a year to keep someone in prison! The UK has the highest imprisonment rate in Europe The prison population is predicted to rise even higher, and so more prisons need to be built
13. Look at how much the prison population has increased
14. What problems do prisoners face? Over half of all prisoners have a drug problem Heavy alcohol consumption is common among prisoners Half of all prisoners are at or below the level expected of an 11yr old in reading More than half of male prisoners have no qualifications at all 2 Out of 3 female prisoners have no qualifications at all
15. Young offenders The number of 15-17 yr olds in prisons has doubled over the past 10years It is estimated that 25% young offenders are fathers 39% young offenders are mothers Drug and alcohol problems are huge among young offenders
16. Prisoners families It is estimated that 66% of female prisoners are mothers Each year more than 16,000 children are separated from their mother by imprisonment
17. What happens once prisoners are released? 62% of prisoners are sent back to prison within 2years of being released Ex prisoners are responsible for 1in 5 crimes A third of prisoners have nowhere to live on release
18. Is prison failing in its aims? Prison aims to; - deter people from committing crimes -punish criminals -rehabilitate criminals -Keep society safe -Justice for the victim
19. Is prison the best answer? The level of reconviction rates are worrying. Do some prisons function as ‘colleges of crime’ where first offenders are housed with hardened criminals- hardly a suitable place in which to steer them away from a life of crime Do criminals leave prison with any prospects? What about the families of prisoners, are they being punished too? Surely prisoners stand a far better chance in the outside world if they have a stable family to return to?