Theological and policy perspectives on criminal justice in the United Kingdom today - a one-day seminar
Allen Hall Seminary, London - 21st September
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CSAN held a one day seminar at Allen Hall Seminary in London on the 21st September to deepen debate, inform policy and initiate action around criminal justice. Speakers included Mgr Malachy Keegan, Prisons Adviser to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales; Neil Jameson from Citizens UK; Linda Maytum-Wilson, from CSAN member Anchor House; Paul O’Shea, a London sixth-form college Principal; and Mike Nellis, Professor and expert in criminal and community justice, together with theologians, academics, commentators and those engaged in the criminal justice system or affected by crime.
The seminar was attended by a wide range of delegates including those providing professional care services and advocacy on behalf of voluntary sector organisations to prisoners, ex-offenders and their families. It was an opportunity to revist themes addressed by A Place of Redemption, the 2004 Catholic Bishops' Conference publication, and to explore these themes in the context of the current policy framework on criminal justice.
Speakers and themes
Sally Malin - Principles of A Place of Redemption
Mgr Malachy Keegan - reflections on A Place of Redemption
Rev Dr Patrick Riordan SJ – Who benefits? Can punishment be a common good for everyone?
Paul O’Shea – Perspective from a inner-city sixth form college Principal
Craig – perspective from an ex-offender
Tracy & Yvonne – perspectives from the families of prisoners
Sr Kathleen Diamond – perspective from a prison chaplain
Professor Mike Nellis – Penal policy in England & Wales today
Lynda Maytum-Wilson – Local justice and community cohesion
Neil Jameson – view from the streets
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Feedback from delegates and emerging themes from the day
Identified challenges to criminal justice policy-
- The increasing use of incarceration
- Re-think the role of civil society on the rehabilitation of offenders
- Not a ‘National Offender Management Service’ but a ‘national rehabilitation service’
- Sentencing—we need a better range of non-custodial options
- Need for person-centred values in prisons - consistent location and sense of connection with one’s temporary prison community; access for families; appropriate and sufficient skills and citizenship training
- The legislation around prostitution and ASBOS
- Payment by results based on a targets-based system—danger that it rewards ‘box-ticking’ not effective values-based work
Practical action for the Church or wider community-
- More parish-based support for prisoners, victims, ex-offenders and their families
- Chaplains serving community service offenders...greater awareness of issues by the laity
- Hangouts on the streets and in parks so kids can play out
- More channelling of reformed ex-offenders into work with young people
- Parish-based mentoring and groups hosting meals with ex-offenders
- Non-violence training with offenders, inside and outside prison
- The establishment of a stand- alone Prisoners’ Sunday
- Revitalisation of the Churches Criminal Justice Forum
- Better links with others working to promote literacy, getting the unemployed into work, in homelessness, with gypsies, Roma and travellers
Download the full report of the seminar
The Backdrop to the Seminar
In September 2011, there were 87,744 people in prison in England and Wales, at an average cost per place of at least £45,000. This equates to 152 people per 100,000 population in prison, as compared to 85 per 100,000 in Germany and 102 in France. Why do we spend so much and imprison so many of our citizens? Why did 75% of those aged over 18 charged in the recent civic disturbances already have criminal records?
Policy debate about crime and criminal justice in England and Wales is now entering a new phase, with fresh challenges and opportunities for the Catholic Church. In December 2010 the Government launched ‘Breaking the Cycle’, a consultation document that proposed a major shift in Government policy towards targeting investment the effective rehabilitation of offenders. The consultation attracted more than 1200 responses (including from the CSAN membership). The Government’s Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill 2010-11 is currently passing through Parliament. Meanwhile, the Prison Reform Trust found in a recent poll that 9 out of 10 people also backed the idea of restorative justice, where offenders are encouraged to repair the harm they have done – a key part of Secretary of State for Justice Kenneth Clarke’s ‘rehabilitation revolution’.
Read more about CSAN's Criminal Justice Project
