News concerning prisons and prison policy.

Tuesday, July 1, 2003 Judges blamed for prison boom Tough sentencing by judges, rather than a rise in crime, has led to the record prison population, research has shown. The 71% rise in the prison population between 1991 and 2001 was due to a "misplaced emphasis on toughness rather than effectiveness" as courts sentence more people to prison and for longer terms, according to a report by the Prison Reform Trust. BBC Guardian: Shorter jail terms urged Sky: Report hits inmate levels Express: Sentences are getting tougher: Study ePolitix: Woolf challenges crime and punishment 'rhetoric' DeHavilland Agency: 'Tougher sentencing' leading to record prison population Prison Reform Trust: Judges and magistrates toughen up in response to punitive political climate 8:19:10 AM    comment [] A second chance? Next month, the Home Office is expected to publish plans to increase the opportunity for mediation between offenders and victims, and reparation to the community. The seeds of this new approach to restorative justice can be traced back to Jack Straw's time as Home Secretary, when evidence from the juvenile crime programme first began to show that these meetings were having a real impact. Now there are plans to extend schemes across the country and give restorative justice a permanent place in the criminal justice system. Independent 8:16:14 AM    comment [] Robber begs to stay in prison to finish studies An armed robber serving a six-year sentence has confessed to three other crimes so he can stay in prison longer and complete a catering course. Telegraph 8:12:16 AM    comment [] 'I thought I would die' When Patrick Petrie was beaten up by prison officers in Parkhurst he felt utterly helpless. But now he's won a high court case against them - and sent a clear message to the home office. Guardian 8:10:47 AM    comment [] Prison praised despite problems A prison in East Sussex has been praised in a new report despite problems with overcrowding and suicides. The report by the chief prison inspector said Lewes Prison rated highly among other local prisons and it had become significantly better. BBC 8:09:29 AM    comment [] © Copyright 2003 Nick Page.

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