NCJ Number
96641
Journal
Howard Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 23 Issue: 3 Dated: (October 1984) Pages: 129-137
Date Published
1984
Length
9 pages
Annotation
The Home Office is embarked upon the third phase of major prison system expansion since 1959. It is planned that by the end of the 1980s there will be an additional 10,000 cells and 5,000 prison officers. Although this latest initiative might be regarded as business as usual, it is of interest to note how the official rationale has changed over the last 25 years.
Abstract
In the 1960s the justification for new prisons was 'effective classification and training' and (with the high profile escapes of the mid-1960s) on maximum security institutions. In the 1970s, 'the bogus numbers game' was used as the rationale for a new prison building programme. However, the predicted massive increases in prison population failed to materialise, and the Home Office has now shifted its ground to 'the creaking door syndrome'. Political choices exist as to the prison system size for the turn of the century. Perpetual expansion should be rejected in favour of reductionist policy. (Author abstract)