NCJ Number
113220
Date Published
1986
Length
54 pages
Annotation
This series of lectures provide varying political perspectives on prison reform needs in England and Wales.
Abstract
Robert Maclennan, spokesman for the Social Democratic Party on home and legal affairs, advocates far-reaching reforms in the sentencing system and the treatment of prisoners. His proposals call for establishment of a sentencing guidelines commission and a prison omsbudman and for the development of legally enforcible minimum standards and prison rules. Clive Soley, spokesman on prison issues for the Labour Party, in considering the political context of the criminal justice system, criticizes the present Government for being trapped by its own rhetoric and sets forth proposals for reducing prison populations and enhancing prison regimes. He also considers public opinion and the need to combine penal reform with measures focusing on crime prevention and support for victims of crime. Liberal Party spokesman, Alex Carlile, examines the role of judges in the formulation of penal policy. He argues that it is politicians, not judges, who need to recognize the futility of imprisonment. He also notes the need for reforms in the appellate system and in the training of the judiciary. Other advocated reforms include the introduction of an automatic two-thirds remission and a drastic curtailment of the work of the parole board. Finally, Home Secretary Douglas Hurd provides a comprehensive account of the Government's prison strategy to reduce demands on the prison system, increase its capacity, and to develop alternatives to incarceration. Annotated bibliography. For individual articles see NCJ-113221-113222.