Prisons 3.1

Question 1

What do prisons do?

Answer 1

It’s purpose is to prevent victims by changing the life of offenders

Question 2

What are the aims of prisons?

Answer 2

• protect the public
• to help people who have been convicted of offences to rehabilitate so they can contribute positively to society
• to hold prisoners securely and implement the sentence and orders of the court

Question 3

How are prisons funded?

Answer 3

Government paid out of general taxes - £7.4 billion

Question 4

How much does it cost to hold a prisoner?

Answer 4

£57k

Question 5

How many prisons are there?

Answer 5

• 106 public sectors run by government
• 15 private prisons run by 3 private companies (Sodexo, G4S, secro)

Question 6

Problems with prisons?

Answer 6

• staff cuts and overcrowding
• not addressing rehabilitation needs
• drug epidemic - security and safety
• selective incapacitation

Question 7

What are the positive of the prison service?

Answer 7

• protect the public
• fufills the aims of punishment
• exercise social control over offenders whilst they are in prison

Question 8

What are the aims of punishment in prison?

Answer 8

• isolation and incapacitation, they can’t cause more victims
• rehabilitation for them so they follow a crime free life on release

Question 9

What are the negatives of the prison service?

Answer 9

• overcrowding and reduced number of prison staff
• financial cuts
• attacks on prisons (rioting hm Birmingham)
• not addressing rehabilitation needs
• drug epidemic
• selective incapacitation (racism and sexism)