Research

Today I went to my local univeristy library to read through their books to help with my research. I researched the difference between how women and men are treated in prison and how rehabilitation methods also differ. I also found statistics showing the success of different methods between 1981 and 1991 and I am going to find recent statistics to compare the differences.
I also looked at the options for recently released prisoners and found some case studies showing day centres which help to rehabilitate them back into the community.
I also researched rehabilitation methods for serious sex offenders and how these compare with offenders convicted of lesser crimes.
Finally, I looked at the differences between Intensive Rehabilitation processes in America compared with the eqivilant in the UK.

Coalition Reforms

Since the coalition came to power they have highlighted that mkaing rehabilitation of offenders more effective is going to be a key target for them. I have read through the declaration to parliament in December 2010 about breaking the cycle of reoffending and having effective punishments. This included introducing Working Prisons which means prisoners are working a full 40 hour week and gaining skills they can use when they are released. I have looked at case studies from HMP Manchester and HMP Ranby which have implemented the working prison scheme. I have also looked at examples of community schemes which help to rehabilitate offenders back into their community by giving something back.

I have also found a case study as evidence for my youth justice section which helps them to stop offending. I also researched the new ruling by the supreme court in California which said that juvinile offenders cannot be sentenced to life in prison. This highlights the difference between the two systems in that the UK system focusses more on stopping reoffending whilst the American system focusses on punishment.

Continued Youth Rehabilitation

Today I have researched how practices in America for juvinile offenders has changed and how it compares to the UK. I recorded that in 2012 the Californian Supreme Court ruled that juviniles are not allowed to receive life imprisonment without bail. The American system is much harsher compared to the UK system and until recently discouraged the use of rehabilitation. I have now completed my research on methods used in the UK for youth offenders and systems which deter offenders.

This week I am going to start compiling statistics against rehabilitation methods in the UK so that I can see which are the most affective. This will also show me the change which has happened over the last 10 years. I will also start to complete some graphs to put into my report.

So far my survey has had 23 replies and I have started the analyse responses. I was most surprised that the majority of the people who took my survey thought that the age of criminal recognition should be 14. This coincided with a statement from the government suggesting the criminal responsibility age be lowered to 12. This would bring the UK in line with guidelines implemented by the United Nations.

I have also completed a form which shows my progress so far and aims: