“It is a shame, but these comments are deeply indicative of how our society has lost its' compassion towards their fellow Man. Of course there is a need for the guilty to be punished but as the quote goes, the measure of a nation is shown by the quality of its' mercy. Too often, the General Public closes its' ears to the often genuine plight of our prisoners who are mentally and physically tortured by staff on a daily basis - often in desperation and as a very last resort a prisoner may smash the few pieces of furniture he is allowed but think, why? Why would a person risk being further punished and adding to their own misery if not pushed into it? Something to think about, is all I am saying.
From personal experience I know that a good proportion of these 'incidents' are provoked, nay, encouraged by prison staff. This is so that when an 'incident' does happen, the POA can immediately request more staff, more money for 'training' and higher wages. Another interesting question would be to ask how many prison officers are enjoying full pay on sick leave from 'mental anguish' after an 'incident'?
I do not excuse society's offenders - if you break the Law then you should be punished. However the punishment in a civilized country is the individual's loss of liberty; it is not the Prison Service's place to ensure added punishments are meted out arbitrarily.
At the end of the day, our present system is not rehabilitating our offenders, they are merely recycling them as there is too much money to be made from the industry. But think on, these people are still our fellow countrymen, our neighbours, our workmates, our friends. Would you not prefer someone who has seen that crime really does not pay and give them a chance to start again? Or would you prefer the angry, violent, disenfranchised recidivists that are presently shoved back into society? The vast majority of prisoners (by no means all) are where they are because of circumstances and difficult choices - who knows what you would do in the same place? Nevertheless, they are a result of our materialistic society which breeds and rewards greed, and it is these problems which we should be addressing in order to lessen the need to commit crime at all.”

“I forgot to add to MY rant:- No time out of cell, no furniture, and no clothing except a sack. Then they cannot hide weapons.”

“We're too soft. If we were not, the prisoners would be too terrified during every single waking moment to even think of disobeying orders. I agree with PC Plod - solitary confinement should be the norm in all top security jails. Any disobedience and add the extra sanctions of fettering, bread and water only diets, screening of light from the windows, and flogging. And, try them for the offences of mutiny and criminal damage and give them a few extra years inside, preferably an additional ten or fifteen. No televisions, no booze, no porn, no tobacco, and no visits. THAT is real punishment.”

“I forgot to add to my rant -

isn't it the Greens and their sissie Lib Dem do-gooder friends who want to give prisoners the vote? Perhaps this is perfectly acceptable behaviour to them.”

“Drink in prison; TV in prison; furniture to smash. Staff put at risk; the tax payer picks up the tab. Try more spartan conditions. You can't throw stone beds and chairs. And inject them with tranquilisers for 23 hours a day. That will sap them of the energy to cause more damage. And totally right Norman, if these people cannot pay for the damage they cause then keep 'em locked up for longer. After all, do we really want people like that on the streets anyway?”

“These people should be jailed in single cells with the doors locked and the lights out, for the full term of their sentence. After ten years they should be allowed to watch a soccer match. After twenty years they can watch it in colour. After twenty five years the sound could be turned on, as an extra treat.... I've always been a softie at heart.
Either this or I would send 'em all to sea on a yacht...that's a good idea, eh?”

“If they cannot be held financially responsible, put another five years on their sentences for "Wanton destruction" and GBH against the staff.”

“The cons have always run the jails, and the wardens know it. how does anyone expect a few wardens control a thousand prisoners, it is by by mutual agreement.

If the wardens step out of line they get punished.

if the odd prisoner steps out of line they get punished. If all of the prisoners step out of line big problems.”

“the cons run the jails now so they can get their hands on anything booze,drugs, you name it.”

“Prisoners were drunk? How does that happen? How does the board conclude that the prisoners are not responsible financially for wanton acts of violence? Is that ok then? Can I trash my workplace but not be held responsible?”