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Prisoners on parade
With Army recruitment falling and the prison population rising, Martin Gosling looks at a G4S scheme in a UK prison that offers a solution to both problems
Levels of imprisonment across the world are rising with over nine million people currently behind bars, according to research by King’s College, London. Other research confirms that for the first time more than one in every 100 of the US population is in custody (Pew Report, February 2008).Against this background, the search for effective rehabilitation models is becoming ever more urgent.
A key factor influencing these figures is the rate at which discharged prisoners re-offend. For example, of the 3,000 men and women released from prison in Israel each year, 70 per cent return.
In the UK, the prison population is nearing 82,000 and now exceeds the capacity available. As a result, police and court cells are being used to accommodate the overflow. Inevitably, the resultant overcrowding makes it harder for prison staff to deliver the sort of rehabilitation programmes that might reduce an offender’s likelihood of an early return.
There is nothing new in any of this and for the last 200 years or so, governments and prison reformers in many countries have experimented with initiatives aimed at helping released prisoners go straight.
Home and work
The findings from a multitude of studies and pilots stress the importance of accommodation and employment in sustaining any newly-released prisoner’s chances of settling down to a law-abiding life.In the light of this, it is perhaps astonishing that many countries continue to rely on the individual initiatives of prison governors and the efforts of voluntary agencies to provide the necessary training and resources.
There are very few schemes aimed at persuading sympathetic employers to give ex-prisoners a chance, although some open prisons have been able to arrange for low risk offenders to undertake paid work during the final phase of their sentences.
But now a new scheme run by a UK prison is attracting attention.
From cell to barrack room
At critical points in history, the normal standards required of those enlisted to the armed services have been pushed aside. In the early 1800s, Wellington’s Army and Nelson’s Navy recruited large numbers of criminals who had avoided the punishment of the courts by volunteering to fight. Others had joined up while on the run from the law.But in more stable times, entry standards are raised and the aim of the armed forces of most countries is to recruit only fit, well educated young men and women of good character. Now, with an acute shortage of recruits to both the British and US Armies, there are signs of a relaxing of previous attitudes to offenders.
HMP and YOI (Young Offenders Institution) Parc, in South Wales, is run by G4S Justice Services under the direction of the UK Ministry of Justice. The young offenders held there are aged between 18 and 21 and, like many others in this age group, they include those who have demonstrated the potential to make a positive change to the direction of their lives.
 | Recognising this, prison staff at Parc have worked with the Army recruitment team in nearby Cardiff to design a course that will prepare successful participants for a possible career in the Army. This initiative fits well with both the |
Parc Cadets
The course is open to those serving their first prison sentence for an offence other than one of supplying drugs or of a sexual nature. Another requirement is that the length of sentence must not exceed two and a half years.Part of the selection process is a psychological screening to ensure that each participant has an aptitude for life as a soldier and it is recognised that a well-behaved prisoner is already used to obeying orders in an institutional setting.
Staff who deliver the programme are qualified sports instructors and teachers from the prison Education Department and, appropriately, there is considerable emphasis on physical activity. Each day begins at 0600 hrs and includes an early morning fitness session involving cardiovascular exercises. A whole day is also devoted to a presentation given by Army personnel who clarify the career opportunities available and explain in detail the process of Army recruitment, selection and training.
Parade ground beckons
This apparent change of Army entry requirements has provoked a keen debate. Some critics fear the prospect of undisciplined criminals running amok with firearms, while others believe that those who commit offences should forfeit any right to join an honourable organisation.Conversely, a retired Major has pointed out that to recruit an ex-offender who is otherwise suitable, is no different to allowing a serving soldier who has committed a serious offence, and undergone punishment in a military prison, to remain in the service.
The pilot course at Parc Young Offenders Institution has now finished. Five young men completed the programme to a high standard and two of them have already been released and are awaiting entry into the Army. A second course began in May 2008 and a similar programme for suitable prisoners over the age of 21 is being planned.
This is only a small beginning but, if successful, might grow into a really worthwhile scheme.
After all, as A.E. Houseman reminded us in A Shropshire Lad (1896):
‘There sleeps in Shrewsbury Jail tonight, or wakes as may betide,
A better lad, if things went right, than most who sleep outside…’.
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Prisoners on parade
