Tougher prison regime welcomed by MP

WARRINGTON South MP David Mowat has welcomed the Government’s new, tougher line on privileges for prisoners.
Any privileges – such as access to television sets and being to wear their own clothes – should be hard earned, the MP says.
In future, prisons will need to work hard and show they are making real progress towards their own rehabilitation.
A mere absence of bad behaviour will not be enough to earn perks, as is the case at the moment.
Other changes include:
* All convicted adult male prisoners will have to wear prison uniform whilst on the new Entry-level in prisons.
* In-cell television sets will not be provided for prisoners on basic level and no prisoner should be allowed to watch television when he should be working or engaging in purposeful activity.
* Prison regimes will change so that convicted prisoners will work a longer day and bad behaviour will lead to a downgrade in status.
Mr Mowat said: “Like many local people in Warrington, I think our prisons should be places of hard work and serious rehabilitation. Any privileges that convicted criminals receive should be hard-earned, and be rewards for taking real steps towards rehabilitation and reform. They certainly should not come as a right.
“Conservatives are on the side of people who work hard and do the right thing. These tough and sensible reforms show that our prisons are becoming places of serious rehabilitation and reform. That way we can break the cycle of re-offending and make our streets and communities safer.”
Justice Secretary Chris Grayling MP said: “It is not right that some prisoners appear to be spending hours languishing in their cells and watching daytime television while the rest of the country goes out to work.
“For too long, there has been an expectation that privileges are an automatic right, given simply as a reward for staying out of trouble. This cannot continue. Prisoners need to earn privileges, not simply through the avoidance of bad behaviour but also by working, taking part in education or accepting the opportunities to rehabilitate themselves.
“We have reviewed the scheme fully, and I believe it is now something the public can have confidence in. Only by tackling bad behaviour and taking part in education or work programmes as well as addressing any alcohol or drug issues can we cut re-offending.”