Custodial sentences are a shame Flashcards
Moreover, Hamza Yousuf in 2020 stated
“Imprisonment, including remand, disrupts families and communities, employment and housing - the very factors that deter offending and keep crime down.” This reinforces the argument that incarceration does not address the root causes of crime. Instead, it exacerbates social and economic disadvantages, making reintegration into society more difficult and increasing the likelihood of reoffending.
Prisons disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, such as individuals with mental health issues.
An HM Inspectorate of Prisons Report 2022/23 highlighted that, of the surveyed prison population, 82% of female prisoners and 59% of male prisoners reported having a mental health need. This demonstrates that prisons are often ill-equipped to provide the necessary support, worsening pre-existing conditions rather than rehabilitating individuals.
Internationally, the situation is even more concerning in some countries.
In Brazil, human rights violations are a significant ethical concern due to severe prison overcrowding. As of June 2023, over 649,000 individuals were incarcerated, exceeding the capacity of facilities by 34%. This overcrowding leads to inhumane conditions, including severe shortages of basic services such as healthcare, education, and adequate living spaces.
The comparison between the UK and Brazil reveals different but equally troubling flaws in prison systems.
While the UK struggles with high reoffending rates and inadequate rehabilitation, Brazil faces extreme overcrowding and human rights abuses. Both cases illustrate that prisons, in their current state, fail to effectively protect society or support offender rehabilitation. A more effective approach would focus on community-based rehabilitation programmes, mental health support, and restorative justice initiatives, which have been shown to reduce reoffending and promote reintegration.
