Prison Service For England And Wales: Mission Statement Analysis

There are currently 85,591 prisoners incarcerated in England and Wales (Gov,2015), out of which it is estimated that a staggering 47% will reoffend within their first year of release, consequently increasing to 58% for those serving less than 12 months (Prison Reform Trust,2013). Her Majesty’s Prison Service for England and Wales’ mission statement reads; “Her Majesty’s prison service serves the public by keeping in custody those committed by the courts. Our duty is to look after them with humanity and help them lead law-abiding and useful lives in custody and after release” (Spurr, 2015, p.48). From this statement, it is clear that the main intention of the criminal justice system is to reintroduce offenders into law-abiding lifestyles, without any mention of retribution. Prior to the 18th century, prison’s’ main focus was for the retribution of criminals. In 1779, the British government passed the Penitentiary Act, which made the rehabilitation of all criminals a necessity of all prisons. On this emerging

Such problems are not morally wicked, but diabolical in the way they resist all usual attempts to resolve them (Brown et al 2010). Discussing how to manage prisoners can produce very strong views among everyone from academics to everyday-people. On one hand, some people still believe prisons should be places of punishment and that those incarcerated do not deserve to be rehabilitated due to their previous crimes. On the other hand, the argument stands that we should embrace the amount of time they have to make a positive difference to themselves and to the community. Of course, the debate also stands whether rehabilitation does in fact work or if it is an unrealistic ideology. This topic is one which is emotionally and ethically challenging; it remains difficult to find the best way to work with offenders to produce a happier, safer and thriving society for everyone