Ben Twomey interviews Penelope Gibbs, Chief Executive of Transform Justice, discussing the current crisis in the prison system.
They explore the reasons behind overcrowding, the implications of remand, the effectiveness of early prisoner release, and the role of prisons in society. Penelope argues for a shift towards rehabilitation and support for offenders to reduce reoffending rates and create safer communities.
They discuss whether the government’s early release of prisoners is the right short term solution, and what needs to change in the longer term to protect victims of crime in the UK.
Takeaways
- Prisons are currently at breaking point due to overcrowding.
- The increase in prison population is a gradual process influenced by legislation and sentencing practices.
- Remand populations are at an all-time high, exacerbated by court backlogs.
- Many individuals on remand are not ultimately sentenced to prison, highlighting issues in the justice system.
- Prison does not effectively rehabilitate offenders, leading to higher reoffending rates.
- Support systems for released prisoners are inadequate, contributing to recidivism.
- The government is committed to increasing prison capacity despite evidence suggesting it is ineffective.
- Prison should be reserved for serious offenses, with alternatives for less serious crimes.
- Public perception often favors punitive measures over rehabilitative approaches.
- Effective crime reduction requires addressing root causes and providing support to offenders.
Sound Bites
- “Prisons are completely full.”
- “More people are being sent to prison.”
- “Remand is a big issue.”
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to the Prison Crisis
05:19 – Understanding the Causes of Overcrowding
10:01 – The Implications of Remand in Prisons
14:42 – Evaluating Early Release of Prisoners
18:27 – The Role of Prisons in Society
20:41 – Conclusion and Future Perspectives
Transform Justice has a regular podcast that you can follow here:
https://podfollow.com/the-transform-justice-podcast/view
Looking for further reading? Penelope suggests checking out recent work by the College of Policing:
Or reading NACRO’s ‘Better Justice’ report: https://www.nacro.org.uk/resource/better-justice-report-march-2024/
We have launched a YouTube channel where you can also view our videos – just click here and please like and subscribe PTV Youtube
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