Purpose & effectiveness Prisons Purpose & effectiveness

Learning Today Success Describe the conditions in Scotland’s prisons; Explain why some people think that prison is an effective punishment; Explain why some people think that prisons should have less money invested in them by the government Success I can describe the conditions in Scottish prisons. I can analyse the effectiveness of custodial sentences. I can evaluate the argument that non-custodial sentences should be used more regularly. Today Video clip on prisons. Advantages and disadvantages of prisons. KU Question

Background The Scottish Prison Service is in charge of all of Scotland’s 15 prisons and Young Offender Institutes Some of the most famous prisons in Scotland include: HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow HMP Edinburgh (also known as Saughton) HMP Shotts Polmont Young Offender Institute The prison population of Scotland is currently (as of 2018) 7464 inmates, but this includes approximately 1361 in custody who have not been tried yet. There are 15 prisons in Scotland. The vast majority of prisoners are men (7094) - 95% of the prison population in Scotland.

Sentencing in Scottish Courts There are a range of sentences available to judges in Scotland, depending on the severity of the crime and the background of the offender. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVtiu6diut0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4x8nQZ8Lfs

Why give someone a sentence? A sentence is the punishment the courts decide should be given to someone who has been convicted of a crime. The aim of sentencing is to: Punish the offender Reduce crime Reform and rehabilitate offenders Protect the public Make the offender give something back to those affected by the crime.

Custodial Sentences Commonly referred to as a “prison sentence”. These involve detention – either in a prison or young offenders institution Those convicted can be sentenced to anything between a few weeks to a life sentence Sentences can be ‘suspended’. This means that if the person does not re-offend within a certain time limit, they will not have to serve the custodial sentence.

Types of Prisons Young Offenders’ Institute For those aged 16-21 If the offender reaches the age of 21 whilst still serving their sentence, they get transferred to an adult prison. Closed prison High level of security For those who have committed serious offences

Open prison Lower levels of security. Prisoners not confined to cells for most of the day. Used to accommodate prisoners who have been deemed to have a low-risk of re-offending and a low-risk to public safety. Only one open prison in Scotland – HMP Castle Huntly near Dundee. Some prisoners may be allowed off site to attended training courses etc.

HMP/YOI Corton Vale Custodial services for female offenders including young offenders. HMP Grampian 500 prisoners Male, female and young offenders - Replaced HMP Aberdeen and Peterhead in 2014. HMP/YOI Polmont Provides custodial sentences for male prisoners between 16-21 years old. Prisoners may be on remand or serving sentences of 6 months to life. HMP Barlinnie Receives prisoners from the west of Scotland. Retains male prisoners serving sentences of less than 4 years. Prisoners serving longer sentences will be moved to other prisons ( eg. Shotts).

Advantages of Prisons They help to rehabilitate offenders – courses are offered to improve education and employability after serving their time The longer the sentence given, the more effectively prisons rehabilitate – only 17% of offenders in England and Wales who serve 10 years or more reoffend Prisoners are also given the chance to work – this gives them a sense of purpose and wellbeing They have the time to think about what they have done and reflect on mending their ways

They keep the public safe – dangerous offenders and people who are a threat to public safety should not be free to live amongst the law-abiding citizens For example, convicted killer Angus Sinclair’s long custodial sentence ensured that he could not murder anyone else

Prison is a tough sentence and deters crime – because prison is a punishment, it puts people off from committing crimes. For example, This may deter possible murders from taking place due to the life sentence that can be given as punishment.

Disadvantages of Prisons High Reoffending Rates – As some prisons can be likened to being a university of crime, this can make offenders more likely to re-commit crime. Around 70% of prisoners who are released from prison after short term sentences commit another offence within a year 90% of people convicted in England and Wales in 2012 had previous convictions If prisoners come out of prison and reoffend, can they really be said to work?

Cost to the taxpayer –Alternatives to prison cost much less to the taxpayer It’s also much harder to get a job when you have been in prison, which means that many released offenders live on benefits, costing the tax payer even more money For example, in 2013/14, the average cost of housing each prisoner in Scotland was £33,153

Negative Impact on Families – Prison can cause the breaking up of marriages This can cause long term damage to the child and makes them statistically more likely to commit crime themselves. For example, statistically children of criminals are 2.4 times more likely to commit crime