International Law

Prisoner not the prison to blame

By John Hirst

I think the Daily Telegraph rather misses the point here latching onto the prosecution's comment to the jury "You may think Kirklevington is more of a holiday camp than a resettlement prison". I am somewhat puzzled why the prosecution felt it necessary to even make the statement. I was in Kirklevington Grange prior to being released on life licence and I would not describe it as a holiday camp.

The concept of the resettlement prison is a good idea for those nearing the end of their sentence. I suspect that Stephens was led along by his girlfriend Cramman and that she picked the target and got her kicks out of dating a criminal and he only engaged in the crime trying to impress her. In short, a pathetic Bonnie and Clyde scenario.

The Daily Telegraph report tries to create the holiday camp scene by stating Stephens "was allowed to spend most of his time on the outside" of the prison, and adding "He also had a job, making £14,000 a year working for a cold storage firm". He could hardly work out and remain in the prison could he? And this comment, "Up to 50 of the 283 inmates are said to have their own cars and parking spaces at the prison". Given that the prison is out in the sticks, and given the poor level of public transport, and jobs in the area being in short supply, it means that the prisoners have to travel further afield to get work. The regime does not allow for prisoners simply to have a car for the sake of it. They have to demonstrate a need before they are allowed this privilege.

All resettlement prisons have their failures. The truth is that Kirklevington Grange has less failures and more successes than most. It is wrong to attack the regime when the failure is down to the prisoner.

Full post as published by prisonlawinsideout on October 18, 2008 (boomark / email).