Crime & Incarceration – The Effects on Society

When considering the incarceration (prison) system in this country, the pretence of those who manage it can be described as nothing less than a slap in the face of society. In the early months of 2008, a ‘selected’ group of sentenced prisoners were sent to address and/or answer questions in parliament. There, they extolled the smooth running of our prisons, the ‘motherly’ provider of rehabilitation, warmth, food, psychological and social services etcetera. What a sham! But of course, these prisoners were selected for a reason … to assist the incompetent and perpetuate the lie.

There are very few prisoners who can and will agree with what these ‘puppet prisoners’ told parliament. The few that will are either able to buy their way through the system and/or  will willingly lie to the public at large in expectation of, or with the promise of reward. Any prisoner who genuinely manages to ‘change’ within the system does so out of a deep desire to do so - in spite of the system and not because of it. The level of recidivism will suggest that this is a correct view. A truth that cannot be denied is that a corrupted prison system benefits the criminally minded who are locked within it. Why then would they expose the corrupted functioning of the system on the ground and reveal its true nature?

Pretence is a lie … so why is it that those charged with the responsibility of ensuring the system functions toward and achieves its aims are lying to the public at large? It could be for one or more of several reasons:

• Our Ministers and Big Boys are being kept in the dark of the situation by managers working on the ground.
• There are benefits for them within a corrupted system.
• They simply don’t give a damn as long as the salary and perks are forthcoming at the end of the month.
• They stand to lose their jobs/positions should the truth be known.
• They simply don’t understand the purpose for which the system is in existence.
• They simply have no idea how to control the ‘ground troops’ where corruption is rife – equaling incompetent management.

Although any of the above may apply to any individual or group working within the system, none of them represent the real reason behind ‘the need’ for pretence. Incompetence plays a huge role here and in this case incompetence stems from ignorance. Those who manage the system are ignorant of why crime is the brutal reality that it is; ignorant of what is required to restore purpose to the incarceration system – where it provides the intended service to society.

Simply put, there is a gross and inexcusable lack of understanding of crime which is clearly evident  through the manner in which the incarceration system functions on the ground. It is also glaringly clear when considering the integrity of both proposed and intended solutions.

Am I saying that all warders and managers of the system are corrupt and/or ignorant? No, but I believe it to be the case generally. I say this because although there are those who know it, they are not competent to fill the position if they are not willing to stick their necks out and reveal it. They remain pretenders without a real purpose or cause … just like the incarceration system today. A great pretender toward a destructive throne.

It is because of society’s current attitude that a battle of minds took place between the convict and his keeper – The battle was won by the convict a long time ago and I’ll say it again… The mindsets of the criminal and his keeper have become one and the same thing. How much longer before the mindsets of the criminal and his pursuer (the police) become one and the same thing? Can we truly deny that this is a battle which is already under way? At our own peril.