Lowe: if you are so worried about prison come and visit

Alternatives to custodial sentences are one of a number of initiatives being considered in a justice policy review which is due to come before the States by the end of this year.

Deputies raised a number of issues about the island’s prison in a debate on the prison governor’s annual report and the report of the independent monitoring panel.

After five years of relatively low prison numbers, 2018 saw the prison roll reach 120 inmates and there was concern that the prison would run out of available space if the trend continued.

Les Nicolles has an uncrowded capacity of 134 inmates and if this level is reached it could put prisoners at increased risk of harm and see the prison’s budget spike.

Deputy Jennifer Merrett wanted to know what alternatives to incarceration were being considered.

‘In this independent monitoring report it states quite clearly that they urge all those who are part of the criminal justice system to examine alternatives to custodial sentences and I would like to think at the very least that the committee of Home Affairs has had discussions regarding this,’ she said.

Home Affairs president Mary Lowe responded that an important set of proposals were nearing completion: ‘You asked about alternative sentences and that is part of the justice review which is taking place and it’s something we’ve also mentioned here in numerous debates as well.

‘Tagging has been mentioned, which we were looking at, but the cost of tagging itself means it’s not just a standalone, JESCC [Joint Emergency Services Control Centre] would be involved, it might mean more staff, that is all being formulated to find out.’

Deputy Rhian Tooley raised a point that female prisoners, because of their lower numbers, were not given the same opportunities as men in terms of exercise facilities, welfare and mentoring.

She also sought reassurances about the experiences of young offenders.

‘The numbers would suggest to me that there are young, vulnerable people who are being held almost entirely in isolation within our prison and I don’t think that’s necessarily healthy and I’d like some more information about that.’

Other concerns which were raised by deputies included work opportunities, drones, mental health care provision, disability provision and bank accounts for prisoners.

Deputy Lowe encouraged her colleagues to come and see the prison and talk to the staff and prisoners.

‘What this has taught me is that it is time again to send an invite to all of you [deputies] to have a visit to the prison. We sent this out to you two years ago and the turnout was so poor it was almost embarrassing really.’

Deputy Lowe also highlighted the work the prison does to reduce reoffending and help prisoners reintegrate with the community.

For example, last year 92 prisoners achieved 162 awards and qualifications in subjects including first aid, art, horticulture, employability skills and carpentry.