In a series of highly controversial remarks, Mr Duncan reportedly told a prisons conference:
- It is ‘repulsively simplistic’ to say that prison works.
- ‘Lock ’em up’ is ‘Key Stage 1 politics’.
- Prisoners should be ‘met at the gate’ on release from jail.
Naturally his criticisms, as reported at least, don't actually contain any actual arguments about what the likely effects of prison policy will be, but are primarily about ingratiaitng himself with the people who despise the voters who actually vote for him. This also applies to his numerous appearances on panel shows.
8 comments:
Sadly, he's not too likely to be out of step with the party heirarchy on this, is he?
Apply to self (well at least this post).
To be fair on Duncan's comments
1) 'prison works' is a simplistic thing to say. Given up to three quarters reoffend on release there's a bit more to it.
2) Just locking people up and throwing away the key is completely impractical and unaffordable politics - look at what's happened in California. so I'd say that qualifies as 'key stage one'
3) what is wrong with prisoners being met at the gate on release from jail? surely they're less likely to get into trouble again if they get some support on going back to the community? I'm struggling to see what is 'extreme left wing' about that!
" 'prison works' is a simplistic thing to say. "
Almost any political statement is "simplistic" in that in twould take hundreds of thousands of words to capture every nuance. What matters is whether it is too simplistic for the purpose at hand. Th reoffending rate is a bit of a red herring because only the most persistant offenders go to prison in the first place, so they are the most likely to reoffend.
"Just locking people up and throwing away the key is completely impractical and unaffordable politics - look at what's happened in California. so I'd say that qualifies as 'key stage one'"
California's bankruptcy wasn't caused principally by the the prisons. It is a basketcase in every area. http://www.city-journal.org/2009/19_4_california.html
Julia- Sadly you are right.
As Julia points out - would it make much of a difference?
Next thing he'll be saying what he really thinks about drugs- as in the views he expressed, then disowned without actually ceasing to hold them.
Well... that's very interessting but honestly i have a hard time seeing it... wonder what others have to say..
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