PACT WELCOMES KEN CLARKE'S CALL FOR PRISON REFORM BUT URGES CAUTION

pact today welcomed the Justice Secretary’s commitment to reform prisons and the criminal justice system. pact praised Kenneth Clarke for his intelligent assessment of the crisis in the overcrowded prison system, but the charity also urged caution over a quick fix approach.

"Kenneth Clarke’s statement on the need for a fresh approach to reducing re-offending echo those of Phil Wheatley, the recently retired of the National Offender Management Service, and the views of the majority of prison governors, criminal justice experts, and charities such as pact which work in the frontline in prisons and with offenders," said the charity’s Director, Andy Keen-Downs.

"We welcome the promise to switch investment from building ever more prisons, to more effective rehabilitation and community-based punishments, and the recognition of the increased contribution that can be made by charities."

"But we would urge caution however that private companies and charities can solve the problem through a straightforward ‘payment by results’ system."

"Incentivising success rather than inertia has to be the way forward, but there are dangers in this approach that we need to recognise. It is clear that many people who offend do so because they have been damaged during their childhoods leading to mental illness, addiction, and problems forming lasting relationships in later on in life."

"We want to see more offenders working hard, paying back the community, gaining self-esteem and life skills, rather than lying in prison cells," say pact. "But some of the most damaged and persistent offenders need much more than this to stop offending."

"Whilst we warmly welcome the Justice Secretary’s promises of reform, we need the government to go further and show a serious commitment to supporting family relationships and parenting skills including those of offenders. This includes supporting prisoners’ children to help them avoid following in their parents’ footsteps and building a programme of sustained therapeutic care and support for the most damaged mentally ill people who get trapped in the criminal justice system."

Contact Details
Interviews are available.
Please contact:
Angela Grimes
pact
Tel: 020 7735 9535
E-mail: angela.grimes@prisonadvice.org.uk

Find out more about pact's work helping prisoners' families to make a fresh start