The criminal world must be in raptures today with the news that 25,000 of their fraternity will be leaving prison early not just this year, but every year for the foreseeable future. That’s fraudsters, persistent car thieves, burglars and every other little toe rag who hasn’t committed a sex or violent crime. Rather than deliver the news himself, John Reid let Lord Falconer take the flack. Perhaps this had something to do with Reid’s previous vehement denials that any early release scheme would be needed.
Whilst the release of such numbers may relieve the pressure on prison beds and cells, it won’t take long for the problem to build up again. Due to the rate we are committing people to custodial sentences, only 1200 places will be created each year. With violent crime rising, we could see this figure quickly disappear leading to an increase in the early release rate.
There will also be increased pressure on probation services and police forces. With 25,000 ex prisoners back on the streets, many habitual offenders, many of them will be back inside within months.
This sad affair makes a mockery of Labour’s crime statistics and smacks of pure panic and desperation. Without doubt sentences will become more lenient and magistrates will find themselves becoming tools of government ad hoc policy.
The solution to this problem can only be to build more prisons. Forget about old ships, army camps and moth balled old Butlins resorts; if we can entice the private building industry into PFI school and hospital schemes, let them loose on the creation of prison centres as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment