Just curious as to how people here view prison.
The lock 'em up and throw away the key brigade often state that prison is for
punishment, deterrence, rehabilitation or maintaining public safety.
If it is for any of the above then how come it doesn't work as many cons return time and time again?
Would the cost of keeping someone in prison be better spent on addressing the reasons why someone offends in the first place and then try to address that?
BTW I'm not talking about the Ian Brady's of this world or kiddie fiddlers, People like that NEED to be kept away from the rest of society. No debate there.
Thanks.
I found during the times I did pre release courses in HMP ..that a great many of the inmates would really have fared better doing something productive with their times outside than banged up for hours behind bars... some kind of community work perhaps helping in the areas where they have offended ? there is no better therapy than feeling useful or needed and...