Letter: Prisons show results of society's credit-card values
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Let us not accord authority to the pronouncements of people who do not know what they are talking about, even if they are the Prime Minister and Home Secretary. Prison is not a deterrent.
I know of no research which has proven that, and almost 30 years working in the probation service tells me from first-hand experience that very few offenders take any account of the possible consequences of being caught. Most are motivated by need, greed or excitement and get no further than immediate gratification.
The probation service works to make them recognise the consequences to themselves, their victims and their families. Astonishingly, this all comes as a revelation, and can motivate them to go on to work on ways of avoiding reoffending.
Prison puts offenders into an inmate subculture that is anti-authority and elevates the status of delinquency, violence and other anti-social traits. It makes prisoners worse, not better, and more likely to commit offences in the future.
Yours faithfully,
BARRIE E. BRIDGEMAN
Coventry
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments