I don't believe it! Options

[TallDarkAndHands...]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11076674

WTF - So hang on. You have a convicted person who is a known MENTALLY ILL VIOLENT CRIMINAL. I know what we'll do - Let them out to mix with all and sundry but hey at least we will know where they are when they strangle / murder / rape some innocenet member of society. This may have been 'successful' to start with but its only a matter of time....

[HeatherW]

Releasing criminals back into the community is cheaper than keep them in. If he should recommit then back inside. That is always going to be the cheapest option.

[On the edge]

Releasing criminals back into the community is cheaper than keep them in. If he should recommit then back inside. That is always going to be the cheapest option.

Not convinced that keeping them inside needs to be an expensive option. It is today, granted but it depends on the regime.

[user23]

Not convinced that keeping them inside needs to be an expensive option. It is today, granted but it depends on the regime.

Putting a roof over someone's head and giving them two or three meals a day is always going to be reasonably expensive.

[On the edge]

Putting a roof over someone's head and giving them two or three meals a day is always going to be reasonably expensive.

A cost agreed, but balanced against the cost of correcting what petty criminals do over time its often justified. I know this will cause some misgivings but a prison regime which is really harsh - i.e. cells with concrete floors and just basic bedding, and three meals per day comprising of repetitive basic rations wouldn't be particularly costly. Heating to base HSE standard and a heavy work plan. Would get rid of the idea that prison is a rest camp and would also reduce the cost of building them - ex army camps would be ideal.

[user23]

A cost agreed, but balanced against the cost of correcting what petty criminals do over time its often justified. I know this will cause some misgivings but a prison regime which is really harsh - i.e. cells with concrete floors and just basic bedding, and three meals per day comprising of repetitive basic rations wouldn't be particularly costly. Heating to base HSE standard and a heavy work plan. Would get rid of the idea that prison is a rest camp and would also reduce the cost of building them - ex army camps would be ideal.

I think you'd be surprised how much it costs. Then there's the cost of buying the land and building new prisons to accommodate all these petty criminals.

Of course once inside it gives small time crooks a chance to mingle with others and those further up the food chain helping them perfect their art and giving them a valuable network of contacts once back on the outside.