There seem to be just 2 main options (3 if you include letting people go free) that are discussed. Expensive, high security prisons, or freedom on probation.
No one seems to consider the option of cheap, low security prisons.
Hotel chains can make a profit selling rooms at £29 a night.
My proposal is to have certain classes of prisoner stay in accomodation similar to a Premier Inn. No security other than CCTV, and one manned entrance. Maybe a requirement to check in at random times for a retinal scan or a drug test.
Prisoners would be told that if they absconded or misbehaved, they would be caught, and put into a high security unit, with an extra year or two on their sentence and no parole.
I suggested this to a magistrate, who thought that most prisoners would be too stupid to appreciate this, and would just abscond.
Clearly violent prisoners, those thought likely to abscond and gang leaders would not be sent to such places. They would be used instead of releasing criminals back into society early, or for people currently not given a custodial sentence.
Some of them would be employed cleaning or cooking.
Others would attend training or remedial courses.
But they would be kept away from their home area, and the temptations to return to their old ways.
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