Running Header: UK PRISONS

UK Prisons

[Name of the Institute]

UK Prisons

Introduction

The United Kingdom penal system is considered as one of the most effective and comprehensive entity, in the context of the global standards. This evolved penal system allows the UK law authorities, to develop a civilized and systemized system which will ensure the safety and welfare of the overall society. In reference to the quality of the overall penal system, and the effectiveness of the legal framework, the number of prisons alone is not the only essential factors (Haynes et Al, 2012, pp. 27). The number of prisons only ensures that the country has the capacity to hold and rehabilitate the individuals in the society, who harm the rights of others and commit unethical and illegal activities. The emphasis also has to be focused on the effectiveness of the prison related infrastructure and the entire penal system.

The UK Penal System

The authorities have to conduct a critical analysis of the entire system, and how it impacts on the dynamics of the overall society. This analysis will highlight the effectiveness of the penal system, and help the authoritative entities to make positive changes to the existing legal framework. Apart from the essential number of prison facilities that exist in the country, focus has to shift on the rehabilitation oriented resources available to these facilities. Through this procedure the penal system will be able to become highly effective in nature, and make significant and substantial progress in alleviating social and legal injustice form the society (Cohen, 2000, pp. 313). In this perspective the UK penal system can be regarded as one of the most effective and positive entities pre4sentin the developed countries, however considering the changing dynamics of the overall society, several changes are required in the existing prison related infrastructure.

Prison Overcrowding 'Cost to Society'

In reference to the current dynamics of the penal system of UK and the criminal infrastructures present in the region, the prisons require significant investment from the relevant authoritative entities. Currently the UK prison system is under a significant level of stress, as the prison facilities are rapidly becoming overcrowded (Belfield et Al, 2006, pp. 189). The primary issue in this scenario is not only the number of prisons required in the region to compensate for the growing number of prisoners. The actual dilemma lays in the funds available to the government authorities to invest in the prisons, and not only focus on the number of the relevant facilities, but also developing the adequate rehabilitation programs. If the UK prison facilities, do not have the adequate programs to help the criminals realize their mistakes, and make positive changes in their lives; the objectives of the penal system will eventually be defeated. In this scenario the prisoners will not learn or rehabilitate from their prison sentences, and would likely indulge in further criminal activities once they are released from prison. This process will only prove to overburden the monetary and infrastructure facilities available in the region, and also consume a significant ...