Recently we have had news stories about prisoners demanding to be addressed as “Mister” and being denied their ‘human rights’ by not being allowed to vote: and now it’s been reported that almost half a million pounds is to be spent on questioning those ‘doing time’ in British jails about their quality of life.
No, I’m not making this up; for it appears that half of those ‘banged up’ in this country’s jails will be asked if they feel “looked after” (it gets worse), if they get on with the screws prison officers, if they sleep well and are they allowed enough time on the telephone.
What, nothing about their favourite Sky TV shows or which ‘Lad’s Mags’ they read ?
What would Norman Stanley Fletcher have made of it all ?
Other questions ask if the cons guests of ‘er Maj have opportunities to relax and “be themselves” and if their period of confinement “feels like a punishment”.
I wonder if they will be asked about .. remorse .. guilt .. or .. the fate of their victims ? … I very much doubt it.
In a previous post about my ancestry I referred to a family member who was on record at a ‘Quarter Sessions’, in 1868, as …. “being charged with larceny : sentenced to two months hard labour ….
I bet he never felt “looked after” when he was …
… breaking rocks with a bloody great hammer.
