Prison lessons from New York

I went to New York last week, on a visit with our Commission on English Prisons Today. We met all sorts of people from NYPD to senior
judges, from prisoners and staff on Rikers Island to academics.

The thing that struck me most was the optimism amongst practitioners. Police, corrections, voluntary agencies, judges, lawyers, everyone
seemed to claim ownership of the drop in crime and drop in the use of prison. They all wanted to be identified with the journey the city was making and they were all keen to work hard and be seen to be enthusiastic. The energy and excitement was really invigorating.

This is such a contrast to our own disillusioned and battered services. Much of the malaise here is generated from constant media sniping that makes us look like a nation of whingers and whiners. But, maybe that is what we have become.

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July 17, 2008 Posted in: Government policy