These stories of ex-offenders who returned to prison are varied and affecting, but the writer’s sometimes simple solutions to a complex issue can make him sound complacent
. Here, Atkins’s analysis doesn’t get far enough beyond his generalised outrage at the system. The reader misses out on a more searching inquiry into the particulars of crime and punishment.
Atkins is in the tradition of prison writers such as Jonathan Aitken and Jeffrey Archer. Boys forged in the debating society of a private school, who as men find themselves in a jail cell and have something to say about the standards. Many prisoners dream of publishing their story in revenge, but these men actually can. They’ve got the social capital, and readers find them more relatable than black, Muslim or poor inmates. Atkins is self-aware about this.
and that we know what the solutions are already. Build social housing. Invest in education. A man called Marc is used to illustrate why we should be “less stick and more carrot”. Marc broke the cycle of reoffending since transferring to the UK’s only therapeutic jail, HMP Grendon. Those who stay there for more than 18 months have only a 20% probability of reoffending . Atkins wants to see Grendon’s success “modelled and replicated across the system”.
Atkins’s attitude that almost every problem can be explained by the dumb cruelty of our institutions sometimes leaves him sounding complacent when talking about an issue that is complex. Grendon is a selective, peer-led institution of fewer than 250 people, where a key part of the philosophy is that inmate hierarchies are abolished and paedophiles and rapists mix with everybody else.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jacinda Ardern is gone and now NZ will pick between two men named ChrisNew Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is fighting for his party's survival as the country heads to the polls on October 14.
Read more »
New Zealand election: Chris Hipkins tests positive to Covid at critical point in campaignThe prime minister will isolate for five days or until he returns a negative test, but has promised to keep up engagements remotely
Read more »
Chris Fagan responds to ‘ridiculous’ late umpire callThe Lions coach addressed the controversial incident after the heartbreaking loss.
Read more »
Good Weekend Superquiz and Saturday Target Time, September 30Trivia buffs: test your knowledge with today's interactive superquiz and target.
Read more »
Good Weekend Superquiz and Saturday Target Time, September 30Trivia buffs: test your knowledge with today's interactive superquiz and target.
Read more »