The Guardian reports the state of one of our privatised prisons in Warwickshire (16/4/2007) where an undercover reporter catalogues a series of scandals. The list of concerns extends from bribery from inmates to get drugs and mobile phones to self harm and suicide. A murder was committed at this institution.
The picture is of a society which throws people away. They include the most vulnerable: those with mental health problems, victims of drug pushers, young people who have depended on the “care” system and so on. Although government legislation is shown to be flawed, the climate of fear engendered by political debate on crime and terrorism has led to a society tolerant of injustice and inhumanity.