Prison system must be about rehabilitation, not vengeance

Prisons cannot become vengeance factories for victims and the relatives of victims seeking revenge against perpetrators. Whilst the hurt felt can never be underestimated, the victim''s role should end, once the perpetrator has been tried and sentenced by the courts. It is then for the criminal justice system to ensure justice is achieved - that includes managing release and rehabilitation. It has been widely accepted that incarcerating people does not cut crime. In fact, prisons are universities of crime equipping offenders to be better criminals on release. The only way prison can be a positive experience is if proper rehabilitation takes place, giving offenders and the public another chance. Rehabilitation, though, can only work in orderly run prisons, not overcrowded battery style facilities. The latter amount to powder kegs, hence the government's desire to cut numbers in the present overcrowded system. As a former chief inspector of prisons pointed out, all but a handful of prisoners will be released at some point and they could be living next door to you or I. Media incited hysteria may sell papers but it does not solve the problems of the justice system. Out of sight out of mind is not a criminal justice policy. Society needs to face up to the challenges that offenders pose. Punishment, yes, but less incarceration and more rehabilitation should be the way forward. Failure to deal with the present system on the basis of logic, rather than the last headline, will see the powder keg that is the prison system explode, with riots and mayhem - surely no one wants that?