Arguments Against the Use of Prisons as a Form of Punishment

• Some people argue that prisons don't make people take responsibility for their actions
• A lot of criminals reoffend once they are released from prison:

  • 57% of adults are reconvicted within 2 years
  • 75% of young offenders are reconvicted within 2 years
  • The amount of non-violent offenders who reconvict is higher:
  • 4/5 shoplifters are reconvicted within 2 years
  • 4/5 car thieves are reconvicted within 2 years
• Criminals do not get rehabilitated in prison
• Prisons can be seen as not working as some people don't believe that they are tough enough:

  • ComRes (a research consultancy) surveyed 1,000 18-30 year olds across the UK:
  • 62% believed that prison conditions in the UK were not tough enough
  • 3% believed that prison conditions in the UK were too tough
• How the prisons are highly controlled can damage any prisoners' ability to think and act for themselves as they are in a highly controlled environment. This can lead to them having challenges when they are released with finding/keeping a job or having secure and stable living arrangements.