Despite having lived in the US for over seventeen years UK prison system is one I have more familiarity with; that doesn’t make me an “expert” on it, and I’m not trying to proclaim myself as one, however it is worth a look, because if the current cutting of expenditure in the US continues, then the US system will be deprived of resources, regardless of whether the prisons are federally, state or privately run etc. From an economic perspective, prisons are a funny business e.g., someone commits a crime and whether it is a street robbery, where $100 is taken or a white-collar crime where $100 000 is taken, in each case, it may cost society tens of thousands or possibly even hundreds of thousands in legal fees, court costs, and prison housing costs etc. Financially, it makes little sense to try and convict criminals, as in almost every case prosecuting, defending and securing offenders results in a financial loss for the state. This doesn’t mean there isn’t a value in having a criminal justice system that involves incarceration etc., however if we believe that this shouldn’t result in an economic net loss etc., we are being extremely naive. Society has to acknowledge and accept that there is a cost to law and order, regardless of the number of license/registration plates inmates create. I still have connections to individuals working in UK prisons/forensic settings and whilst there are always complaints about systems being at breaking points etc., the UK is genuinely close. I also believe that the US, at this time, with an emphasis on cutting costs, could propel itself upon a similar trajectory that will put both staff and inmates at an increased risk of violence.

               I’ll set my stall out really quickly. I don’t believe law enforcement, those working within the prison service, or performing other security services (US or UK, or any other country) get paid enough. Those who perform these services/duties do so at a cost – emotional, psychological etc. – which is mind boggling i.e., nobody in their “right mind” would do so. Fortunately, there are people within our society who agree to do these jobs and perform these tasks; sometimes certain individuals fuck it up and extend their reach, but by and large on a day-to-day basis, these individuals fulfill their responsibilities in the way in which society has asked them to. If you have ever been balled out by a cop for a minor traffic infraction, understand that 30 minutes earlier they may have been informing a family that their son/daughter was just killed due to a traffic violation/accident etc. I’m not trying to portray those who work in security roles as being saints, however it is worth taking a moment to understand the stressors under which they work and operate. This means also recognizing the work that those who work in the prison service engage in, and why this isn’t an area, where funding should be cut, simply to reduce a tiny fraction/amount of tax dollars spent. If you work in a security role, my desire is for you to be as safe and secure as possible. Which normally means having people available to support you.

               Back in the day when I was doing my first master’s degree, I visited several prisons and made friendships with several people who worked in these settings. I was fortunate in that I got to leave the sound and the smell behind after my visits; something that as someone who gets sensory overloaded very easily, I had difficulty with and appreciated that other people had to simply manage/deal with. Even twenty years ago, the UK prison system wasn’t able to properly cope with inmates who had mental health issues, and should have been treated in psychiatric rather than prison settings, for their own safety, the safety of other inmates, and the staff looking after them etc. Our prison system has not adapted to the mental health issues that the criminal justice system is now having to deal with. This isn’t a social or political point of view, nor is it about being soft/hard on crime, it is simply about being effective in dealing with those who find themselves on the wrong side of the law, either because they were willfully malignant offenders or because their view of reality was compromised by their mental state/health. 

               Whilst there is little doubt that government waste/expenditure exists to whatever degree, my fear always is, that those who contribute to our safety and security, are viewed as entirely a cost rather than a benefit, and see their resources cut to a degree which contributes to everybody’s safety. I’m always thankful for those that perform necessary roles that I don’t have to, and I acknowledge that they allow me a position of privilege to do the things I want to do etc. My hope is that during this time, when the focus seems to be on cutting costs, those working in the prison service are fairly supported and rewarded in the work they do. The UK system sorely needs an injection of resources and I don’t believe the US needs a reduction in them.