News concerning prisons and prison policy.

Tuesday, July 15, 2003 Dartmoor changes praised Dartmoor prison is now a safer and less oppressive jail than it was two years ago but still has some way to go, according a report published yesterday by the chief inspector of prisons, Anne Owers. Guardian 9:13:51 AM    comment [] Monday, July 14, 2003 Prison population hits new high The prison population has hit an all-time high for the fifth week in a row, according to figures released on Friday. The number of inmates now exceeds 74,000, said the Prison Service. In the last four weeks, the population has risen by 633 inmates - the equivalent of a medium-sized jail - to 74,012. BBC Independent: Prisons crisis grows as population reaches a record 74000 Guardian: Prisons near 'meltdown' icWales: Number of prisoners at record level   Sky: Inmate figures at new high 8:45:25 AM    comment [] Thursday, July 10, 2003 Prison killing a 'catalogue of failure' The Prison Service has been accused of a "shocking catalogue of failure" over the killing of an Asian teenager who was beaten to death by his racist cellmate. The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) has been examining the circumstances surrounding the death of Zahid Mubarek, 19, at Feltham Young Offenders' Institution in west London in March 2000. BBC Ananova: Prisoner's racist killing 'a shocking catalogue of failure' Mail: Race watchdog attacks prison service Telegraph: Prisons attacked over racist cell killing Guardian: Racism behind bars Guardian: Prison race death blamed on shocking failures Telegraph: Feltham failed Zahid 8:00:00 AM    comment [] Wednesday, July 9, 2003 A look inside The prisons ombudsman, Stephen Shaw, is to take over the official inquiry into last year's riot and fire at the Yarl's Wood immigration removals centre. It is likely that he will take on, too, a new role investigating the growing number of deaths in custody. These new challenges will amount to a major extension of the remit of the prisons and probation ombudsman - a job created nine years ago to help ensure that justice did not end at the prison gate. Guardian 8:00:34 AM    comment [] Monday, July 7, 2003 Prison launches 'part-time' sentence A Lincolnshire women's prison is experimenting with a system where sentences are served only a few days at a time. BBC 8:40:52 AM    comment [] 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 [] Monday, June 30, 2003 What happened next? Vicki Andersen now works as a teacher in Brixton Prison. Her initial plan was to be a primary school teacher but a week-long work experience at the south London-based prison changed all that. Guardian 8:40:31 AM    comment [] Prison Service defends open jails The Prison Service defends its record on open jails after new figures reveal more than 4,000 inmates went on the run in the last five years. BBC Redaing Chronicle: Blunkett faces quiz over open prisons icBirmingham: 106 walk out of open prison 8:33:10 AM    comment [] Psychology classes to help prisoners A Devon jail hopes psychology classes could help to cut re-offending rates among inmates by a significant amount. BBC 8:32:03 AM    comment [] © Copyright 2003 Nick Page.

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