A ZEST FOR LIFE
Should prisons be institutions that punish, or institutions
that rehabilitate? At first glance, the answer to this
question appears simple. People who commit crimes are
sent to prison to be punished. However, could this be
doing more harm than good?
The British penal system has been criticised as ‘highly
ineffective’ by the media and wider public. Between
2010-11, the rate of re-offending was over 50%. However,
such a high rate seems to speak more of the institutions than
the individuals. It begs the question – are all prisoners
career criminals? Of course not.
Imprisonment of an individual results in deliberate
deprivation of material goods; but it also results in the
deprivation of a social aspect of life. Simply put; leaving
prison can be a shock to the individual tasked with
reintegrating into society. However, people don’t often think
about the shock and difficulties in adjustment faced by
families and friends. Whilst this is thought of less, it is
nonetheless consequential. A criminal record is
undoubtedly a barrier to future prospects. Coupled with the
prejudices held by the public, reintegration holds serious
difficulties. With evident issues within the prison system and
a lack of preparation to facilitate re-integration into wider
society, help needs to come from somewhere else. And it
does.
BY:
AMANDA SHEPPARD
Lisa believes in supporting charities that don’t garner
support from the wider public – seeking to help “overlooked
people” in need who don’t fall into the category of a
‘trendy’ charity gaining widespread support.
Schemes like the one operated by Zest allow for an
increased level of responsibility as well as the opportunity to
change perceptions. Working in a supportive and stable
environment that encourages teaching, training and
development not only helps the individuals in question, but/
it also contributes to their parole. Lisa is looking to expand
the program in order to help ex-prisoners gain SVQs
(Scottish Vocational Qualifications), in order to open up
prospects for the future. Whilst help may start at home, it
certainly doesn’t stop there. Lisa is in talks with the local
Council to establish an Erasmus exchange with similar
initiatives internationally.
PROTOCOL-MAGAZINE
People who assume the worst in an individual based upon
what they think they know are looking at this program and
others like it the wrong way. Automatic discrimination and
systemic prejudices stemming fro