Understanding prison reform

The idea of prison as punishment dates back to as far as 2380 BC, but it’s never been as popular as it is now, with the global prison population growing rapidly. Across the world, many prison systems are overcrowded, overused, and often ineffective. Many people argue that change is needed and that it would benefit society as a whole. We look at what measures are being suggested and how they might help.

Why do prisons exist?

Prisons exist for a few reasons, the main one being to punish and rehabilitate people who have committed crimes. Prisons are considered to be an important part of criminal justice systems, ensuring that offenders are brought to justice for breaking the law, and that victims and their families get a sense that justice has been served. They’re also used to protect the public from criminals, and to deter people from criminal activity in the first place.

However, prisons aren't always the best way to achieve all of this, and in many countries the current prison systems can cause or perpetuate problems rather than solve them

What is prison reform?

Prison reform is the attempt by both individuals and organisations to create a more effective prison system. It focuses on improving conditions inside prisons and making sure that inmates are rehabilitated rather than just punished. The aim is for offenders to eventually be successfully reintroduced into society without offending again.

There are two main ways prison reform can be achieved:

• Reducing their usage. Rather than locking people up, the issues causing them to commit crimes are addressed, and the punishments reflect this. One example is providing community-based alternatives such as interventions or therapy to young, first-time offenders.
• Improving their conditions. Instead of being an unfriendly environment that creates resentment and encourages future criminal activity, prisons become places that promote rehabilitation back into society. Prisoners have as normal a routine as possible, with opportunities to work, exercise, and undertake cultural activities and education.

What are the main issues with current prison systems?

There are several other factors related to many prison systems that are often criticised. 

• Number of prisoners. Some countries have a very high incarceration rate. For example, nearly a quarter of the world’s prison population is found in the US, with over 2.3 million people currently imprisoned there. This is a problem, because when someone is in prison it has lots of consequences like breaking up their family or, in some countries, taking away their right to vote and therefore affecting elections.
• Overcrowding. There is a greater demand for prison space than space available. This is partly linked to the high rate of reoffending as offenders are in and out of prison frequently. Overcrowding means that conditions are poor as resources are stretched.
• Conditions. This factor is linked closely to overcrowding. Bad food, lack of access to sanitation and healthcare, and limited chances for fresh air and exercise are all examples of poor conditions some prisoners face.
• Crime rate. Even inside prisons, crime is common. A 2018 article in the Guardian Newspaper reported record high increases in assault incidents in UK prisons between the years of 2016 and 2017. Drug smuggling, violence, self-harm, and organised gangs are often seen. Offenders meet other criminals and are encouraged to commit further crimes.
• High rates of reoffending. In many countries, the rate of re-offending (committing another crime) after leaving prison are high, meaning that going to prison does not change people’s behaviour.
• Cost. A 2016 report by the UK Ministry of Justice found that It costs around £25,000 in the UK, and a 2017 report by the US Vera Institute of Justice found that in the US, it costs $31,000 per prisoner per year to keep someone behind bars. This adds up to an annual spend of around £3 billion each year for the UK, and $81 billion in the US.
• Lack of rehabilitation. Many inmates don’t get the help they need to become functioning members of society. According to UK government statistics from 2020, 29% of adults reoffend within one year of release. Lack of funds for rehabilitation programmes means that criminals leave prison only to commit further crimes.

What are the alternatives?

Prisons are generally the default punishment for unwanted behaviour. However, the number of people in these institutions is increasing around the world. Although the most serious crimes may have no alternative punishments, many minor crimes will often also result in imprisonment. There are some alternatives, known as non-custodial sentences, which may be more effective punishments:

• Supervision. The offender is free to remain part of society, but they have to be monitored for a set period. An electronic ankle monitor, curfews, and regular contact with probation officers are some of the measures that can be used.
• Community service. Offenders must contribute to the society they have detracted from. Usually, this takes the form of unpaid work for a set amount of time. The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research found that offenders given a community service order (CSO) were less likely to reoffend than offenders given prison sentences.
• Supervised rehabilitation. Rehabilitation sees former offenders have to attend supervised training, drug or alcohol treatment, mental health care, or education. Operation Checkpoint, a rehabilitation scheme by Durham Constabulary in the UK, allows low-harm offenders (those who have participated in theft or criminal damage) the opportunity to address the causes of their offending - such as mental health issues or substance abuse. The results from this programme showed a 15% reduction in reoffending rates in comparison to offenders who did not participate. The Netherlands are another great example - they’ve had to close prisons due to a lack of prisoners. Their robust national rehabilitation programmes has led to the country having one of the lowest rates of imprisonment in Europe.
• Fines. Offenders must repay an amount to society that is believed to be proportionate to their crime. However, there is still controversy over how effective this is. A 2016 study by the Sentencing Advisory Council of Victoria found that of the people given a fine for breaching a family violence order, 53% reoffended within five years.
• Suspended sentence. A suspended sentence means the offender is not physically imprisoned. However, if they commit another crime during the term of their sentence, they automatically go to prison.
• Better prison programmes and conditions. Using prison as preparation for reintegration into society, as opposed to just punishment, is another alternative. In Norway, they have overhauled their prison system. Daily training, educational programmes, and comfortable living conditions are a part of this system. The aim is to get the inmates ready for their release back into society. Norway’s reoffending rate is now around 20% after two years, down from roughly 60-70%.

In all of these situations, the offender remains part of society and has more chances at rehabilitation. They aren’t away from their families and aren’t as at risk of being drawn further into crime by other criminals in prison.  

You can find out more about crimes, their causes, effects and social impact on our Criminology subject page.

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