Ten steps towards Abolition.
A world without prisons I am continually told is impossible. Even progressives and radicals struggle to comprehend the concept. Prison is within our culture a given, a necessary evil that only a fool could even consider living without.
However the same people will readily concede that certain people should not be in prison, or at least should be in far less often. I have met very few who approve of imprisoning children, the unconvicted, refugees, the mentally ill, or non violent offenders. I have met no-one who admits to agreeing with the disproportionate use of imprisonment against the black community.
Whilst intellectually the debate about what we do with the most serious offenders and in particular those who are perceived to be the most dangerous is interesting its relevance to our contemporary situation is very limited. Any move towards an abolitionist approached will inevitably be in stages, with the initial agenda focused on rescuing from prison those who even supporters of prison admit should not be there.
During 2005 I will be writing an immediate agenda for those who like me oppose the use of unnecessary and excessive use of prison in the United Kingdom. I will structure this in the form of 10 steps. Each step will be a practical and achievable goal in its own right.
These are my ideas but I will very much appreciate others comments, criticisms and suggestions. Where appropriate I will redraft my original ideas to accommodate suggestions and improvements.
Please click on the steps below to read more
Whilst intellectually the debate about what we do with the most serious offenders and in particular those who are perceived to be the most dangerous is interesting its relevance to our contemporary situation is very limited. Any move towards an abolitionist approached will inevitably be in stages, with the initial agenda focused on rescuing from prison those who even supporters of prison admit should not be there.
During 2005 I will be writing an immediate agenda for those who like me oppose the use of unnecessary and excessive use of prison in the United Kingdom. I will structure this in the form of 10 steps. Each step will be a practical and achievable goal in its own right.
These are my ideas but I will very much appreciate others comments, criticisms and suggestions. Where appropriate I will redraft my original ideas to accommodate suggestions and improvements.
Please click on the steps below to read more
Coming soon:
Step Three:- Magistrates - Removing their rights to send anyone to Prison.
Step Four:- Health Care not the infliction of further Pain - Removing the mental ill from our prisons
Step Three:- Magistrates - Removing their rights to send anyone to Prison.
Step Four:- Health Care not the infliction of further Pain - Removing the mental ill from our prisons