Waht has caused the increase in prison population?

angrymammal

Lots of reasons:
- many more criminal laws; since Thatcher governments have acted to increase the public perception of crime so that they can appear tough and thereby gain votes
- Net widening; a great many more people are criminalised now where they have not been before e.g. ASBO's
- Failures in the 'bifurcation' in sentencing; the use of fines has plummetted with an associated increase in the use of custody
- Increasing use of custody for women, children, those with mental health problems and those with substance misuse problems; Most of which would be better managed in the community.
- Failure to make appropriate use of community sentences
- Failure to adequately deal with the causes of crime; Some gestures have been made but have not been substantial enough e.g. Surestart

The increase in immigration is not a significant factor, despite the assertions of many here

andylegendoneill

The law is becoming less tolerant of criminals and alot of immigrants go to prison also....the rise in population is a factor and the rise in crime......dont believe what the governmaent says about crime going down thats BS

Phartzalot

The "War on Drugs" has a lot to do with it.

Black Magic Woman

Mandatory minimum sentences have a lot to do with it. Judges are forced to give a certain amount of time regardless of the details of the crime. It takes away their ability to judge.

shell

its just full of smack rats now. we need to just put real criminals in not plebs

goneresistance

People pass more and more laws so they can look tough on crime and get re-elected.

Also, private companies who run prisons need people to be arrested so they can make a profit.

Tougher drug laws and tougher laws on drunk driving have also swelled the prisons.

What state are you talking about?

churie78

Breakdown in society, due to lack of discipline in schools and at home.

Joan el guiri

A target driven police force and criminal justice system who arrest children , addicts and the mentally ill and jail them.

The UK has more children in jail than any other of the richer countries.

England, especially, jails people because it is cheaper than giving residential treatment on the NHS to those who need it.

Gene

Stricter laws and a moral decay of our country.

Police really do blame and say its the pot smokers kids that's the generation they facing . If that's true imagine the crackhead kids when they old enough to 'play'

colesey72

a large number of immigrants sentenced has a lot to do with it. they cannot change to our culture

Bob the Boat

Hi Lara,
There is a simple answer.
Greed.
In that the search for wealth has driven loads of folks to theft, burgulary, fraud, etc,
Also the needs of druggies. I class myself as one, as they say alchohol and drugs.
Alchohol is a drug, and I like my beers.
But I don't go out commiting crimes !
I came across a group of teenagers at our local supermarket running around, just picking stuff up and rushing out.
What to do ?
OK hands up time.
Many years ago I was arrested for being over the drink-drive limit after attending a good freinds funeral.
Bad boy.
I had a wonderful few summer days digging out a pond for the local scouts to boat on.
No problem, and it taught me a lesson.
Prison would have been a waste of time and taxes.
I feel that Magistrates handing down custodial sentences is often a mistake.

Heck, if you say to kids, as I do to my two boys, it's easy.
Mischeif yes, we all do that, but just don't go beyond the law.
So maybe poor parenting results in this alarming prison population.

Bob.

Tyrus

The flood of illegal aliens into the country has much to do with it.

regerugged

Mainly illegal drugs. Secondly, population in general is increasing every year, so there are more people to commit crimes.

atlantismeditation@sbcglobal.net

stupid people thinking and doing stupid thing and getting caught doing it .

charlsyeh

in all honesty one of the reasons is no jobs. another reason is that the laws have made it easy for the criminals.overcrowding will make it to where they barely serve any time

srracvuee

with the vast amount of immigrants pouring in what would you think

Voice of Liberty

Tighter gun control laws are reflected DIRECTLY in stastistical information which indicates rising crime.

Also, because your socialist governments no longer allow society to teach personal responsibility (as in the question I just answered where the guy was whining because he could smell his neighbors' cigarette smoke and it offended him) and morals and values in schools. You teach that everyone is equal when in reality, human nature makes the individual struggle to come out on top, but most of those practices have been made illegal so naturally you will have more criminals.

Weed

Because the police do not have any powers like they used to have , & therfore crime has risen

sarah1962

just more and more bad people in this world, so more crime, lock them up so we all can be safe, stay safe, all the best

steven e

we do live in lawless society,when our good cops do get thier man some appeals are ready to set them free again,crimbos win everytime.

*****

Increase in crime.

Crazy Diamond

There are more people being stupid.

ejb199

an increase in crime i guess is the logical answer!

great white

maybe prison is not as bad as it used to be

ShadowCat

Lately the Illegal Aliens and people who are criminally insane are loose! the powers that be are trusting them to stay on their meds to reduce the number of people in the system and get this, save money!

Tracey

stupid law change and increase in crime

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