Britain's prison crisis: 'You're set up to fail'

With prisons at 99% capacity, the Labour government has freed hundreds of inmates before the end of their sentence. But life on the outside can present challenges. The Times speaks to former prisoner Fred Knight on his struggles to get back on track.

All prisoners must meet with their probation officer on the day of their release. The chance that a vulnerable person will sleep rough on the night of their release is higher when they are released on Friday, as many local services close early for the weekend.

This problem was addressed by the previous government in the Prisoners Bill, which will give governors in England and Wales the power to bring prison releases forward by 48 hours if the leaving date falls on a Friday. However, this is only permitted for prisoners identified as vulnerable, and experts and former prisoners have highlighted flaws in vulnerability assessments.

A Freedom of Information request by The Times to the Ministry of Justice found that Friday was the most common day for prisoners to leave, making up more than a third of releases.

Chapters
00:00 - Intro
01:05 - Life before prison
01:54 - Prison life
02:35 - Life after prison

#prisoner #prisonrelease #london #crime

[Tom_-]

The lack of accepting personal responsibility for crime is what really grates. Criminals are trained to blame others, to blame their surroundings, their home situation, lots of people are desperately poor but they don't resort to crime.

[murk]

Sick of this victim mentality, prison is a punishment part of that punishment is rebuilding your life after. The only person who can make your life better is you, get a job, get educated - plenty of opportunities out there if you are willing to make it work.

[Wishing_you_peace]

Living at home with parents and working full time on minimum wage can't be that hard. We don't all get what we want in life early on.

[LovtoPlay]

Young man.. I wish you all the strength you need to keep moving forward, find your true self, improve and explore your talents and to meet a true friend, a real life's partner.. One love from Dorset x

[Bob.Jenkins]

I hear no remorse for the crimes he's committed, no regret even... except for that he was caught.

[stormblaster]

So a lot of you guys think this is unfair but we need as many productive members of society as we can get. Not everyone has the same will. Some people get easily caught up. Miss a penalty fine or maybe even steal a diaper or a treat on a desperate day. Its better to try and understand them rather than jump to the conclusion, “well I had it worse and I still didn’t end up there” and also according to statistics a lot of people who have it worse do end up in prison. So the majority cannot cope and something needs to be done about that

[oiomtxo]

I know a woman at 20 who was orphaned with no family for support. Had to struggle on minimum wage, paying rent on what was it 5 years ago, £8 an hour? No government help no free bus pass no £80. Struggled every day and how has a lovely little family with three children, still working that same job never broken a law in her life.

This man had a free roof above his head, and still chose a life of crime. Now he’s getting help from a charity to help support him and provide advice? Absolute scum.

Where are the charities to help law abiding citizens like her that are struggling?

[Marshatrini]

Hes not telling the truth. Prior to release they speak to you about housing, applying for benefits, probabtion terms etc. Most of us started our carer on minimum wage so why can't he? And he says he lives at home. What does he expect??? Red carpet treatment. Im sick, disabled and work full time. I don't expect special treatment

[joebloggs]

Being released straight back into the impoverished area they were struggling in can't help, back into the same social groups, low chance of employment, too easy to resort back to crime when the going gets tough.
Maybe what they need is support finding work and accommodation in areas where employment is easier to find, where they can get an honest living, support themselves and build their skills, giving them the chance to break the cycle which lands them back in front of the judge time and time again.

[christopherj]

Keep going Fred, it'll get easier in time.

[switchback]

It was great work with you on this and highlight the need for effective resettlement to #ReshapeRelease.
- Switchback and Fred.

[scorpzgca]

Just stay out of prison don’t do any crimes simple

[jumbobillion]

We're not set up to fail. We have opportunities that people in many countries can only dream of. Nothing more disgusting than those who help ruin their own neighbourhoods whilst complaining about being a victim.

[The_Intellect]

Excuses for their criminality. Same thing in America.

[sirloin]

If you can’t do the time;
Don’t do the crime!

Simples! 😂

[DarthPerkins]

It's heartbreaking that prison is compulsory for young Black men, there should be a law agai...oh, hang on, it's easily avoidable isn't it? Don't be a criminal, get a job like the majority.

[mrman-yjbn]

The completely non bias sad music... sorry but you can't make me sympathise with a criminal just because they are having to deal with conciquences.

[shax]

Life outside is tough for all of us, let alone for healthy young males. 😂

[Tonyioswfc]

Says alot when mahmood is the justice secretary ffs

[LawrenceBishton]

I agree you was named bishto davids brand on like now divad no ranbr notbish these are the contracs you where me then 20:menow20. The stest 4+5