Task imposed on prisons is impossible

doi:10.1136/bmj.327.7421.989-a

BMJ 2003;327:989 (25 October), doi:10.1136/bmj.327.7421.989-a

Letter

Task imposed on prisons is impossible

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR—The paper by Nurse et al confirms reports by HMinspectors of prisons on the detrimental effects of isolationand lack of quality programmes in custody.¹ I worked as a prisondoctor before becoming deputy justice minister in the ScottishExecutive in 2001-2 and subscribe strongly to community basedsolutions, particularly for drug related crime, since custodyoften worsens associated mental health problems while providingopportunities to establish networks for future drug dealing.

The courts remand increasing numbers of prisoners and imprisonmany for two weeks or less for fine default (in Scotland 6000/25000admissions for fine default; similar numbers on remand). Nearlyhalf of these prisoners, more than 80% of whom have drug problems,then reoffend. This expensive custodial approach (> £28000 per prisoner per year) is ineffective in protecting thepublic, as punishment, and in preventing reoffending. Moreover,the rapid turnover of prisoners imposes an . . . [Full text of this article]

Richard J Simpson, senior medical officer

Glasgow Problem Drug Service, Woodside Health Centre, Glasgow G20 9LR richard.simpson@hushmail.com

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