CJS Talk

By John Coster

Some useful links to articles referenced during the talk.

“G4S prides itself as “the first private company to open and run a prison in the UK”. The company’s involvement in the modern ‘prison industrial complex’ in Britain dates back to the ideologically driven privatisation of prisons by the Thatcher government.

Following a tendering process in which the public sector was barred from participating, the Prison Service invited private companies in 1990 to bid for contracts to manage prisons.”

Further reading from this article 

“The prison industry complex is one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States and its investors are on Wall Street. “This multimillion-dollar industry has its own trade exhibitions, conventions, websites, and mail-order/Internet catalogs. It also has direct advertising campaigns, architecture companies, construction companies, investment houses on Wall Street, plumbing supply companies, food supply companies, armed security, and padded cells in a large variety of colors.”

According to the Left Business Observer, the federal prison industry produces 100% of all military helmets, ammunition belts, bullet-proof vests, ID tags, shirts, pants, tents, bags, and canteens. Along with war supplies, prison workers supply 98% of the entire market for equipment assembly services; 93% of paints and paintbrushes; 92% of stove assembly; 46% of body armor; 36% of home appliances; 30% of headphones/microphones/speakers; and 21% of office furniture. Airplane parts, medical supplies, and much more: prisoners are even raising seeing-eye dogs for blind people.”

Further reading of this article

Prison Radio Association – click to read more

“Prison radio offers a unique, innovative and effective way to communicate with prisoners and engage them in education, debate and community.”

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/jun/30/brixton-prison-radio-daily-mail

Prison Life – Gov.UK – click to read more

Arriving at Prison – “When someone arrives at prison they have at least one interview and assessment so they:

• understand prison rules and procedures
• know what their rights are
• are told of courses available
• get the right healthcare

The prisoner gets a prison number and their property is recorded and put somewhere safe until they’re released.”

Clinks:

http://www.clinks.org/sites/default/files/basic/files-downloads/Navigating%20the%20Criminal%20Justice%20System.pdf

http://www.clinks.org/criminal-justice/do-it-justice

Super Prisons:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2410629/New-250m-super-prison-Wrexham-Britains-biggest-green-light-today.html

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/wrexham-super-prisons-new-name-10902424

Leicester Prison:

http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Spend-money/story-28756688-detail/story.html