Oct 20th 2018, 20:35

IMPORTANT MODERN SUBMISSIONS
ON WHY SOCIETY NEEDS TO RETHINK ITS CONCEPT OF INCARCERATION FOR BAD PEOPLE

An appreciation by Elizabeth Robson Taylor of Richmond Green Chambers and Phillip Taylor MBE, Head of Chambers
and Reviews Editor, “The Barrister”


The aimless drifting continues with a mismatched penal policy “not fit for purpose” as the decades roll by and we still have no proper answers to what to do whilst costs rise: so, read this new collection “Against Imprisonment” carefully.

Waterside Press are to be congratulated on the development of their increasing portfolio of books on applied criminology with this recent collection of essays against custody which appeals to a general readership as well as to the academic researcher.

David Scott has brought together a collection of writings which are the fruits of his work teaching criminology during the last 20 years. His book, “Against Imprisonment”, includes topics such as ‘The Changing Face of the Prison’, justifications of punishment, prison violence and the shortcomings of prisons, and mega-prisons: all very current and explosive political issues at the top of the Justice Secretary’s agenda.

The theme which comes across is strongly against “the current political obsession with increasing incarceration” so Scott’s collection of essays is another justified “wake-up call for all those who feel the use of imprisonment is failing to achieve a reduction in crime”. Alas, more words with very little reform on the immediate horizon. However, the general approach of the title is highly commended as it succeeds in raising the status of the main contention on the political agenda. And that is amid the misconception that “prison works” because it doesn’t and is a fake policy appealing to base instincts.


We are grateful to Professor Emma Bell who sums the book up with these important words which are worth restating:

“Scott systematically dismantles widely-accepted justifications for punishment on ethical, political, philosophical and practical grounds, forcefully demonstrating that the only clear purpose of imprisonment is the infliction of pain and suffering on all those who come into contact with the prison place, whether as detainees or staff. He provides us with fascinating glimpses… into what he describes as “modern-day cathedrals of pain”. Turning the utopian myth that “prison works” on its head, he invites us to imagine “real utopian” non-penal alternatives to punishment that respect human dignity and deliver genuine social justice”.


We found that this thought-provoking collection gave us a compelling analysis of current failings of the concept of imprisonment which should be compulsory reading for those working in the Ministry of Justice.

It offers a new light on one of society’s most pressing topics but with no obvious remedy… yet! This is probably because of the concept of rehabilitation is perceived as a “weak” response to disciplining the recidivist. Sadly, although the time for a new approach is urgent there is no immediate likelihood of any breakthrough.

Scott’s nine chapters explains why prisons do not work for most offenders. Nothing much has changed for many generations but do not go away without some hope that change is on the way because “Against Imprisonment” is the forerunner of massive change later this century, so it’s just the beginning and not the close of the debate.

The book was published on 28th February 2018.

'The multitude of perspectives, the pleasantly readable linguistic style and commitment with which Scott writes, make Against Imprisonment a refreshing and instructive read.'-- TOA (German Restorative Justice Journal); `Scott systematically dismantles widely-accepted justifications for punishment on ethical, political, philosophical and practical grounds, forcefully demonstrating that the only clear purpose of imprisonment is the infliction of pain and suffering on all those who come into contact with the prison place, whether as detainees or staff. He provides us with fascinating glimpses...into what he describes as "modern-day cathedrals of pain". Turning the utopian myth that "prison works" on its head, he invites us to imagine "real utopian" non-penal alternatives to punishment that respect human dignity and deliver genuine social justice.'- Emma Bell (From the Foreword). 'This thought-provoking collection gave us a compelling analysis of current failings of the concept of imprisonment which should be compulsory reading for those working in the Ministry of Justice... the forerunner of massive change'--Elizabeth Robson Taylor and Phillip Taylor MBE of Richmond Green Chambers.