Tag: Prison
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Prisons are spiralling ‘out of control’
Do prisons actually work? Rather than deterring crime, prisons are used by inmates to make a fortune selling drugs. And some argue that US prisons create more crime than they prevent.
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Harvard’s rejection of murderer divides USA
Should convicted murderer Michelle Jones have been given a place at Harvard? When it was taken away, her extraordinary story triggered a furious debate about crime and punishment in the USA.
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Drugs, violence, suicide: jail chaos exposed
A BBC programme has highlighted the shocking situation in prisons in England and Wales. As scandals mount and guards fear enforcing the rules, should jails be abolished — or made tougher?
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Ten million locked up as jail population soars
Yesterday Britain’s prime minister called the UK’s justice system a ‘scandalous failure’. More people live behind bars than ever before. Jails cost the USA $80bn a year. Time to break free?
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Notorious police killer released from prison
In 1966 Harry Roberts was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of two police officers in a case that shocked the UK. Yet this week he was released. Should life mean life?
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Gamers get to ‘play God’ in virtual worlds
Two new video games, Prison Architect and Watch Dogs, allow gamers to ‘play God’ by giving them power over vulnerable people. Will they deaden our responses to moral issues or improve them?
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Singer in hospital after ‘Gulag’ hunger strike
A member of the outlawed Russian rock band Pussy Riot has gone on hunger strike in protest against conditions in the penal colony where she is being held. She says inmates are treated like...
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Human rights ruling outlaws ‘life means life’
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that sentences of life imprisonment without hope of release are ‘inhumane’. Are British ministers, MPs and newspapers right to be disgusted?
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‘Insane’ murderer Brady seeks death in prison
The notorious Ian Brady says he should be treated as an ordinary criminal rather than a madman: he wants to be allowed to starve himself to death. So why is he being kept alive?
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Teen ‘bling’ burglars shock cinema audiences
Celebrity worship led a group of rich teenagers in Los Angeles to burgle the houses of their favourite stars: now the true story is a film. Is this a morality tale for our fame-obsessed era?
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No TV, gym or home clothes as UK jails get tough
Under new government plans, convicts will be deprived of televisions and gym time unless they can ‘earn’ them with good behaviour. Are modern prisons ‘soft’?
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No TV, gym or home clothes as UK jails get tough
Under new government plans, convicts will be deprived of televisions and gym time unless they can ‘earn’ them with good behaviour. Are modern prisons ‘soft’?
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Politicians in scramble to stop prisoners voting
A European ruling could force the UK government to give prisoners the vote. Staunchly opposed to the idea, ministers are playing for time – but are they fighting a worthwhile battle?
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Cameron’s tough yet tender take on crime
The British Prime Minister has appealed to traditional Conservatives with his call to punish offenders. But he also wants to help criminals go straight. Desperate politics or sensible strategy?
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Alcatraz escapees still at large after fifty years
Fifty years ago today, three men disappeared from Alcatraz, the world’s toughest prison. What happened to them – and why are we fascinated by these elusive criminals?