Jails

[Ribena]

With all the fuss over jails that are full, can I ask "Why not build more?" Surely better than letting convicted criminals out early. It makes a mockery of the British justice system. If there were more kids to educate, more schools would be build. Whats the problem with jails?

[Dassie]

Whose going to pay for them and where are you going to build them? In a green belt area or on an old site next to your house or school or work?

[bustergutt]

Good point! Build more, create jobs, I have always had the same thoughts about Hospitals. Going back to crime I have a theory that if the justice system were tougher on the criminals in the first place the prison population would actually drop. I mean if a criminal thought that he would definitely receive a sentence of say 10 years minimum for any offence where a spell in jail is required, I believe the criminal would think twice. Over the past years where magistrates have opted for the softly softly touch, have in my opinion fuelled crime. If the government don`t want to build new jails, give the criminal a deterrent. The law abiding citizens deserve it.

[Kathyan]

What British justice system would that be?

[brionon]

Er--couldn't the convicts build 'em ?

[juddlinski]

Couldn't we use Wales?

[flip-flop]

................or the Isle of Sheppey, escape from New York sylee!!! Build a huge wall around the edge of the island and just let them get on with it.

Sheppey is a festering turd pit anyway, full of inbred seven toed chavs, so put them all in the same melting pot, blow up the bridges and hey presto - problem solved.

[jno]

apparently we're going to pay foreign prisoners to go home and serve their terms there. I may have missed the thread of logic in this one.

[NJOK]

They are being built but it will take until 2012 for most to be ready.

As for building more and more, isn't it funny how the people who call for more prisons to be built are often the first to kick up a fuss when they hear that one is being built near their home?

The prison population is increasing by 50 people per day and has doubled since 1993. Judges are under pressure from politicians to impose custodial sentences because it scores points for the government by making them look tough on crime. But the more crowded prisons becomes, the harder it is to rehabilitate prisoners, so the more likely they are to reoffend. So the problem snowballs.

So in fact, by handing out more community sentences instead of prison stretches, reoffending levels can be brought down and crime reduced.

Can't see that happening though. The Daily Mail would have a field day.

[Ed Strong]

Didn't they in the past use prison ships. Rusting hulks 'parked' some way from land. That could be a temporary solution at least. Think of North Sea storms! =o{

[admarlow]

thats true, nobody has mentioned them this time...

[louisa06]

F**k building new jails castrate the lot of em
and each year around Nov 5th burn the lot of em!!

Use them as fuel!! what's the point of having these scum of the earth.hanging around living it up! on the taxpayers exspense..