Prisons are colleges of crime for short term inmates (Aberdeen Central Liberal Democrats)

Aberdeen Central Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

Prisons are colleges of crime for short term inmates

June 29, 2010 6:38 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Speaking ahead of the final debate on the Criminal Justice Bill, Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Robert Brown has described prisons as colleges of crime for short term inmates.

Short prison sentences are not a deterrent for carrying an offensive weapon. Liberal Democrat research has shown that 94% of those currently in prison have been in prison before - 60% of them on offensive weapons charges; hardly an endorsement of mandatory short sentences.

Commenting Robert Brown said:

"Liberal Democrats have always taken a robust approach to short term prison sentences. They don't work and for short term prisoners, they are colleges of crime where offenders come in contact with even worse people and often come out worse than they went in.

"The Scottish Government have accepted Liberal Democrat calls for a presumption against sentences of three months or under and to replace them with tough and effective community penalties, making minor criminals pay for their offences, giving something back the communities which they affected with their crimes.

"The Labour and the Tory parties are sadly misleading the public by pedalling their populist propaganda; talking tough but in reality doing nothing to protect the public.

"Community payback sentences must be tough and effective but they are capable of protecting the public better by turning more people away from crime.

"Sentencing for those caught carrying a knife should remain in the hands of judges who can decide on the proper punishment in the circumstances for the particular offender. We want effective and high visibility policing in Scotland's local communities and early intervention to divert people away from crime.

"We must tackle the root causes of crime, getting rid of the gang mentality, tackling issues of excessive alcohol and making sure knives are kept out of the hands of young people."