Seems like a good idea…
TBH most peoples impression of jail life comes either from inaccurate depictions in film and TV or from conversations with their peers; where often people (particularly lads) gloss over the hardships (mostly sheer boredom!) so as not to look “soft”…
Another misconception TV puts across is that its quick and easy for relatives/friends to visit (even if they do so its not a nice environment as prisoners’ relatives/friends are viewed by the screws as potential criminals/drug runners)
Youths see jail life first hand
A project in Devon to try to teach youngsters about the reality of life behind bars is proving a success. The group of five boys aged between 12 and 16 were taken to Dartmoor Prison to meet inmates and witness prison life for themselves.
It is a joint project involving police, the prison service and Plymouth’s Hamoaze House and early evaluation shows it has already made a difference.
Sgt Adrian Gurney described it as a “very impactive” visit.
‘Positive change’
Hamoaze House is a centre in Devonport in Plymouth which provides support for youngsters in the city with behavioural or substance misuse issues.
The five, who had been identified as the most at risk of the centre’s young people, were taken inside the prison to speak to two inmates.
One of the prisoners, who has spent the past 20 years in and out of the prison system and is currently serving a 10-year sentence, spoke to them about the “futility” of his life of crime.
He also emphasised that they still had the opportunity to “make the right choice” about their future.
Following the visit four of the young men have said they do not want to enter the prison system and two of the three professionals who referred them say they have noticed a positive change in their behaviour.
Sgt Gurney said: “We have tried many different initiatives to try to deter young people from becoming involved in crime and this has been a very impactive visit for the youngsters.
“Hopefully, this will give them the information they need to make a sensible decision about their future.”
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/england/devon/6061912.stm
Published: 2006/10/18 10:50:09 GMT
© BBC MMVI
