A really good couple of shows (great ratings - almost 6 million) which truly showed life in prison as it is - anyone wanting more stories check out the last section of 65 My Life So Far.

How very sad indeed that someone should have served half his life (so far) behind bars and yet be content with his lot.

(Time for ITK to get controversial here)

I wonder if these people should be allowed to live ... they make no contribution to society at all (and never will).

Fantastic couple of shows.

Really showed teh human interest and the types of people who find themselves in Prison. From the very middle class fraudster to the career criminals who consider the prison their home !!

The young lad with kids was a good example of how to come out of the situation having learnt their lesson and being positive. I was very pleased that he got his re-categorisation to a D. Fully deserved based on the TV programme.

Checked out the INSIDE TIME website after the programme finished. Very interesting.

www.insidetime.org/

where you can read about WORMWOOD SCRUBS and what its "Regime" is etc.

As homes go a Prison looks as if it has a sense of community that CHAV ESTATES do not have. You are in MORE danger in a CHAV ESTATE each day than in a prison where there are Officers and some sort of daily regime.

They get decent food - washing done - roof over heads - library - education - gym etc. ( See the link I put ) and build up relationships which are only as potentially abusive as those outside.

Every life is valuable in my view.

Some famous prisoners who spent a long time in PRISON include NELSON MANDELA and others include ST PETER - JESUS CHRIST - DANIEL - and I am sure we can add many more including our very own JK......as well as the SUFRAJETS ( good piece on them on the ONE SHOW last night )

Being in prison for people who stand up against the GOVERNMENT and for HUMAN RIGHTS is an honour. Being in prison for crimes committed is reasonable if it has been done fairly. Being in prison if innocent is a problem - but being innocent should make you not feel a criminal in my view and lead to different but just as positive experience.

New Labour have locked up many people in the last 13 years who should never have gone to Prison - I estimate that 10% of our prisoners are still POLITICAL and maybe more. I consider JK to be a POLITICAL prisoner - hung out to dry by the TRIAL BY MEDIA double scare of "Terrorhysteria and Paedohysteria" which NEW LABOUR used as NAZI weapons against the people of the UK.

A life is always worthwhile - whether that is in a third world village - a prison - a mansion. What is in the heart is what really counts - not where you find yourself - often people have no control over where they live.

BR wrote:
A life is always worthwhile - whether that is in a third world village - a prison - a mansion. What is in the heart is what really counts - not where you find yourself - often people have no control over where they live.

Not sure I agree with you, BR.

I'm not talking about those who make one mistake (no matter how big that mistake may be) - I'm talking of the habitual offender who has never contributed to society, and within days / months of release re-offends and finds themselves (at OUR expense once again) back behind bars.

An example is the man last night who had spent 22 of his 44 years behind bars for a whole stream of offences. It appears that he has a daughter (surprise, surprise !) - I wonder how many benefits she (and her mother) are claiming ON TOP OF the costs of keeping this man in prison (where he said he felt comfortable).

Food looked good on the programme last night - and there seemed to be no complaints. I suppose it depends on the Prison etc and which wing people are on - Srubs looked massive - so I expect some wings are further from the kitchens etc.

I understand what you mean about contribution to society and benefits....but if someone is unable to function in the "real" world without committing offences then it is preferable for the rest of us that they remain in prison ? especially if they are happy with their life there.

I feel that PRISONS have replaced the "Asylums" that existed until 1994. Many of the people in PRISONS are those who would have been residents in these massive ASYLUMS ( BBC 4 had a programme on them last night - see I PLAYER ) people who cant cope in the real world.

These people are vulnerable and damaged. Often with learning difficulties or mental health problems. Prisons seem to be the "new" hospitals for these people. I believe we have a duty of care to the weak and vulnerable in our society. They are some of the most vulnerable in society. Many of those showing violence or mental health issues (such as dirty protests) are ill and need medical help - not our condemnation.

Perhaps CAMERON will change things and provide some sort of residential Mental Health provision again so that the Prisons can be relieved of this pressure. That would go some way to helping "BROKEN BRITAIN"