If it was your child in prison, how would that effect your view of how
prisoners should be treated?
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Ben
Lecturing
About Me
- prisonerben
- United Kingdom
- Previously known as "one of Britain's best known prisoners...he constantly questions authority and exposes the futility of the system" The Times, Ben was finally released from prison after 32 years in August 2012. Pleading guilty to the murder of a friend when I was 14 years old, I renounced violence and fought for the recognition of the inherent dignity of all human beings. As a result of speaking truth to power, I served far longer than the recommended 10 years, leading Education Secretary Michael Gove to argue that I have "been punished excessively for a crime committed as a child". One of the more intellectual of prisoner-campaigners, Ben chose to educate himself from a schoolboy level to having both undergraduate and post graduate degrees. He is currently one of very few prisoners in Britain ever to attempt a Doctorate. Ben's speciality is non-violent action and the Human Needs Theory. Now on Life Licence, I am forging a career as a CJ policy consultant, writer and - as ever - campaigner.
It makes a huge difference when you have a loved one in prison. In my case not my own son, but someone I've been supporting since we met by chance, who has no contact with his own mother. I have learned so much and had my eyes opened to many things. Please let's rehabilitate rather than further punish people, particularly those with addiction problems. After many spells inside they become institutionalised and find it so hard to cope in the 'real world'. I am talking about someone with many short sentences rather than one long one, but it is important for you Ben to use your time in Open wisely, and be as prepared as you can for release. Support from your friends will be vital.
ReplyDeleteNo, because I'd want every prisoner to be taught the things that would've kept them out of prison in the first place. Like how to say "no" when someone who says he's your mate wants you to do something dodgy. Or how to avoid a fight. Or how to read, write and do something you can get paid for.
ReplyDeleteStill, everyone should ask themselves that question.
@ Cirrocumulus,
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with you, If more time and effort went into rehabilitating offenders there would be fewer re-offenders, why doesn't this simple point ever seem to be taken notice of by those who are "in charge" of our prisons?