Prison and Work

So one of Ken Clarke's big ideas, as outlined in his conference speech yesterday, is for prisoners to be made to work a 40 hour week for the minimum wage. A very simple, laudable idea from a seasoned campaigner that went down well with those conference delegates who bothered to stay and listen to him. So I find it very odd that such an experienced Criminal Justice minister should suggest something that will be nigh on impossible to implement. He knows full well that all prison regimes are utterly routine and rigid, borne of the self-evident requirements of security and availability of staff. Thus the 10,000 prisoners who are lucky enough to have jobs already in the 300 prison workshops, only average about 20 hours each per week.

Every prison I've ever visited is typically not 'unlocked' and open for business until about 9.30am. Only the very foolish official visitor doesn't make it to the Main Gate by about 11.45am in order to avoid the lunchtime 'lockdown'. Failure to do so will almost invariably result in a very long wait until the prison is 'unlocked' following roll calls. For administrative convenience I believe the evening meal is about 4.45pm, when inmates are served with the following day's breakfast as well. There are no hot breakfasts anymore and as a result porridge went off the menu many years ago.

Now Ken know's all this, so I'm not at all sure what he's up to. He says he wants the Prison Service to invite more companies to consider providing additional work opportunities with each prisoner being paid the minimum wage. Most of the money would go to victims, with some being saved for the prisoner, as long as they don't re-offend for two years. As now, a serving prisoner would only get 'tobacco' money of about £8 per week. Interestingly, Ken hasn't ruled out the possibility of the prison charging for 'board and lodging'.

As for 'making' prisoners work - this is rubbish and clearly aimed at impressing the public and the conservative faithfull. A job in prison is very much a priviledge and highly sought after. Virtually every sentenced prisoner I've ever visited were either very happy working, desperately hoping they would be offered work, or on the waiting list for education. Most prisoners hate boredom and want the opportunity to earn their tobacco. Prison is really one of the last bastions for smokers and apart from 'phone cards, tobacco is of course the main currency inside. Those minority of prisoners who refuse work will still be able to, as compulsion would not only be illegal, it would be most unwise and unenforceable.

I am assuming that when Ken Clarke made his speech, he was referring to the closed estate, such as the so-called Cat 'B' training prisons, because many prisoners in 'open' conditions already routinely work outside the prison for a variety of employers and put in a full day.  

Historically prisons have always had some work available, such as cleaning or in the kitchens. In addition many had farms attached and there was the historical business of sewing mailbags. In more recent times prisoners have been making prison clothing or traffic signs and printing forms. I was aware that commercial contracts had been entered into for things like packing, but had not appreciated that the Prison Service has been very shy about revealing full details. Apparently two investigative journalists have spent the last couple of years battering the Prison Service with the Freedom of Information Act in order to find out just how many commercial employment contracts there are. If I had realised it was such a secret  I would have paid more attention to cross examining inmates as to exactly what sort of work they were doing. I was aware of some imaginative work such as at a Yorkshire jail, Wealstun I think, where prisoners were inputting data for the 1901 census, but not the variety that has been uncovered.

Now I personally have no problem with work being available for any prisoner who wants it. In fact I think Ken's right to remind us of its ability to assist in rehabilitation. I also have no particular problem if the work is for public sector bodies, but I am aware that some penal reform charities feel the practice of using prisoners in this way is somehow morally suspect. On the contrary, I think it has the possibility of becoming a 'virtuous circle' and the idea of paying the minimum wage and splitting the proceeds has great merit, if being something of an administrative nightmare. As to a 40 hour week though - I don't think so!