I have been thinking about this for quite a while now (off and on)!
There are 4 basic elements to the penal system :-
1 Deterant, to anybody who may commit a similar offence.
2 Prevention, to phisicaly prevent the perpitrator from re-offending
3 Punishment, to the perpitrator to prevent them committing another offence.
4 Retribution, against the perpitrator to make the victim(s) feel better.
It seems to me that Prison is not much of a deterant to anybody! The length of prison sentances served seems to be going down, so element 2 is less effective. The level of reoffending is incredibly high 75 - 80%, so element 3 is out. This leaves us with element 4, I do not think I need to elaborate on this one!
My solution, for what it is worth is if the prisons were set out into 4 different levels, each with a differing level of punishment, ballanced with incentives for "Good Behaviour".
Level 4 is hard labour with no privalidges. Morning till night.
Level 3 is Hard Work 50 hr week Monthly visits and phone calls on sunday.
Level 2 is Educational access and work skills. Normal privalidges.
Level 1 is Educational access and work skills. Access to internet, outside visits, Activities outside prison for work. Weekends at "home"
Introduction to job vacancies outside prison.Freedom to earn and spend "own money".
Dependant on the crime committed Criminal starts off in level 2 or 3. they then move up or down dependant on their own behaviour whilst in prison! This would fulfill all 4 elements of the penal system. It is far from perfect and would be open to abuse (as is the present system) but would be far more effective. As to the "geriatric Lifers" if that is what they want then fine by me!
Rant over!