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Brit Prisoners May Work to Compensate Victims

Justice chief wants to replace 'enforced idleness' with full-time work

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 5, 2010 3:10 AM CDT

(Newser) – Britain's justice secretary is looking for jobs—and a massive pay raise—for the country's 85,000 prison inmates. Ken Clarke wants companies to outsource work to the nation's prisons, and to pay inmates the national minimum wage of $9.39 an hour instead of the current maximum prison wage of $15 per week, the Wall Street Journal reports. The wages would be used to compensate victims of crime, and pay for prison costs, with some going to the inmates' families. Prisoners would be allowed to keep around $30 per week.

Clarke says he wants to turn Britain's jails from places of "enforced idleness," where most inmates currently don't work, to places of "purposeful hard work" where most inmates work 40-hour weeks, improving their chances of finding work after release. He is considering building new jails attached to factories, where inmates could work in a secure area. Inmates won't be forced to work under Clarke's plan, although those who don't may have privileges like TV sets taken away.

Prisoners at London's HMP Pentonville walk through an atrium.
Prisoners at London's HMP Pentonville walk through an atrium.   (Getty Images)
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Most prisoners lead a life of enforced, bored idleness, where getting out of bed is optional. - Justice Secretary Ken Clarke

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
newsrmandan
Oct 5, 2010 1:32 PM CDT
their dept to society is often paid double by society, that set up makes no sense. This is a step in the right direction. I am sure Bernie Madof still knows a thing or two about making money in the stock market, why not tap that resource and use whatever "good" advice he could offer for the sake of his victims.
andylcfc
Oct 5, 2010 10:25 AM CDT
Absolutely Unreal - They shouldn't be paid AT ALL, We have miles upon miles of roads that need fixing, canals that need dredging, litter on our streets, canal paths and beaches, we have graffitti on thousands of buildings, hundreds of childrens play areas left to rack and ruin. If this government want this 'institutional idleness' to stop why not make a start by fixing the above, there is enough to keep them busy. Instead they are given 3 square meals a day they don't pay for, TV in their cell they don't pay for, a roof over their head they don't pay for, heating, water, health care, entertainment facilities etc etc the list goes on and on. Its a holiday camp!! Regardless of what spin these politicians put on this story the message they are sending to us all is that.... 'IF YOU DO THE CRIME - WE'LL PAY YOU FOR YOUR TIME" It's Outrageous and the 'Good' British Public WILL NOT STAND FOR IT..
bewilderbeast
Oct 5, 2010 10:06 AM CDT
Hope something comes of this. And while I'm wishing: Let's end all privatisation of prisons. If ever a system was Made For Abuse it's that one!

 
prison • prisoners • jail • Britain • compensation • Ken Clarke

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