Private Prisons to be fined...

[Gromit]

...if prisoners re-offend on their release.

http://www.telegraph....nd-after-release.html

Anyone think this is a good policy? Seems unfair and bonkers to me.

[Thatcherite]

Yes completely bonkers, I don't see how any prison can be held responsible for the future actions of their clientelle. I'm all for turning our "prisons" into something less like Butlins but I cannot see how this policy can ever be made to fly.

[sandyRoe]

It also mentions that the paltry £46 each prisoner gets on release might go. Discharged from prison they might not even have the bus fare home.
Fining the prisons seems madness.

[rockyracoon]

How ridiculous is this? And to stop the £46 is just as stupid, some prisoners may go on the rob to get a few quid s they can feed themselves.

[humbersloop]

It's not a "fine" and presenting it as such is tough talk PR hype.

Its a standard payment by results contract term - the same thing already aplies to Work Programme prime contractors, where people are expected to remain in emplyment for six months afteran intervention by the programme. Which is also why it's only mulitinationals like Serco, A4E and G4S who can stand the cashflow risk.

Like sandy, I'd be more worried about the consequences of dropping the £46 payment.

[douglas9401]

The man's an @rse and has to be seen to be doing something, not neccesarily achieving anything but at least looking busy.

[humbersloop]

sorry, ^ *the cashflow risk can engage with what, if they get the results, are highly lucrative contracts.

Not a coherent criminal justice policy by a long chalk

[sandyRoe]

What's really needed is a policy that's tough on crime and even tougher on the causes of crime.

[humbersloop]

tough but intelligent? That's snappy

[douglas9401]

"Tough but intelligent" may well be his opinion of his Sunday roast.

[Gromit]

The Daily Mail report reveals the slogan this has been launched under:

// Tough, but Intelligent //

Oh dear...

[Duncer]

Given the scarily high percentage of recidivism I predict that private prisons will go bust in no time.