Archive for August, 2008

UK punishes 1.5 million people every year

I have just been to speak at a conference of European university academics who teach English, held in Denmark at Aarhus university. Our roundtable session was called the “Punitive Turn” and considered whether British society and politics had become more punitive. I will just leave that one hanging in the air, but would be interested [...]

August 27, 2008   Posted in: Sentencing  No Comments

Lord Parmoor’s funeral

I went to Lord Parmoor’s funeral last week (see Obituary in the Telegraph 25 August).
His was a full life, well lived, but it was still sad to loose someone I was coming to regard as a friend and certainly had great respect for, because of his zest and intellect and humanity.
We had lovely gourmet lunches [...]

August 26, 2008   Posted in: Howard League  No Comments

Treatment of mentally ill prisoner unlawful and inhumane

We have just written to the Governor of a prison about one of our clients who is 17 years old.В  We say:
“It is well known that our client has profound mental health problems and has exhibited difficult and challenging behaviour throughout her present sentence and placements at a secure training centre and other prisons…We would [...]

August 7, 2008   Posted in: Inside prisons  No Comments

Corston review must be implemented

The Ministry of Justice has just published a report on a two year programme across the North West and Yorkshire aimed at diverting women away from custody and from offending. It was all quite positive stuff, but speaking cynically, these reports do tend to be positive.
Hidden right at the end is the phrase: “Interviews with [...]

August 4, 2008   Posted in: Government policy  No Comments

Drugs law ineffective and counter-productive

I spent the day in a women’s prison this week. I have spent a lot of days in prisons, round the world, and it is always emotionally draining.В  This time it really got to me.
Ironically it was most affecting because it was a good prison.В  There was lots of open space, activities and the staff [...]

August 1, 2008   Posted in: Government policy  One Comment