I have a dream
James Peterson argues that without proper training, prisoners will continue to leave prison with low levels of self-esteem, no skills, no drive and no desire not to return.
Much of my focus lately has been on prison workshops and their function in preparing prisoners for return to the outside world. Although in many cases they have expensive infrastructures, there would seem to be severe shortcomings in these departments compared to what constructive use they could and I believe should achieve.
Like most long term projects, it is sometimes difficult to drum up initial interest. Even amongst Consultative Committees (on which I often serve) I have been hard pressed to stir up much by way of enthusiasm. Such Committees, and prisoners in general, are more interested in pursuing short term immediate gratification type goals or minor privileges.
We are often our own worst enemies. Many who have gone before us asked for things they knew might be impossible to achieve yet they pursued seemingly impossible goals so that those behind them would benefit. It must have been a lonely battle when John Hirst set out to obtain the right to vote. I wonder how many prisoners told him he was wasting his time: “You'll never get the vote”. But on he fought.
I often get younger prisoners asking me questions. A couple frequently asked are: “Why don't they teach us any useful skills in here? Why don't they give us jobs where we can earn and save some money?”
There is one very useful course here and that is the PICTA course. It teaches you first how to use a computer and then how to build one. But as far as other useful vocational skills training programs are concerned, I am sorry to report there is very little else of any real significance. With salaries for standard level prisoners £12.50 a week, canteen prices rising (set by the Prison Service and a constant bone of contention), and phone rates at 11p a minute locally, it is impossible for prisoners to even consider the possibility of saving anything.
Surely there is a way to improve skills training and rates of pay? But there has been no discussion about it in either of the dispersals I've been in. It's one of the most important ssues afforded no discussion, no thought and certainly no action. It must be another ‘taboo’, like conjugal visits.
I have a dream that one day prisoners with extraordinarily long sentences will be able to learn specialised skills that require extensive training. I have a dream that these skills will produce for them at least a minimum wage in prison and a maximum one upon return to the real world. I have a dream that prisoners will, one day, no longer return destitute and relying on the dole and the council for accommodation, but will return with a savings account accrued through their own hard work and efforts, and with a sense of pride in that work - with a new found confidence.
Without confidence and responsibility, and proper training, prisoners will continue to leave prison with low levels of self-esteem, no skills, no drive and no desire. They will fail and return in shorter and shorter order. Longer sentences require more affirmative action on the part of society and the prison service. I believe it is yet another 'garden path' the British have mistakenly followed the Yanks down, along with Iraq. Longer sentences and reduced regimes have raised the US prison population to a staggering 2.2 million - double what it was a decade ago. Shameful. Hopefully, common sense and a return to the original mantra will prevail: 'fighting the causes of crime'.
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Issue : July 2010
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