Why promote prison reform?
Central to the arguments to promote prison reforms is a human rights argument - the premise on which many UN standards and norms have been developed.However,this argument is often insufficient to encourage prison reform programmes in countries with scarce human and financial resources.The detrimental impact of imprisonment,not only on individuals but on families and communities,and economic factors also need to be taken into account when considering the need for prison reforms.
Human rights considerations
A sentence of imprisonment constitutes only a deprivation of the basic right to liberty.It does not entail the restriction of other human rights,with the exception of those which are naturally restricted by the very fact of being in prison.Prison reform is necessary to ensure that this principle is respected,the human rights of prisoners protected and their prospects for social reintegration increased,in compliance with relevant international standards and norms.
Imprisonment and poverty
Imprisonment disproportionately affects individuals and families living in poverty.When an income generating member of the family is imprisoned the rest of the family must adjust to this loss of income.The impact can be especially severe in poor,developing countries where the state does not provide financial assistance to the indigent and where it is not unusual for one breadwinner to financially support an extended family network.Thus the family experiences financial losses as a result of the imprisonment of one of its members,exacerbated by the new expenses that must be met - such as the cost of a lawyer,food for the imprisoned person,transport to prison for visits and so on.When released,often with no prospects for employment,former prisoners are generally subject to socio-economic exclusion and are thus vulnerable to an endless cycle of poverty,marginalisation,criminality and imprisonment.Thus,imprisonment contributes directly to the impoverishment of the prisoner,of his family (with a significant cross-generational effect) and of society by creating future victims and reducing future potential economic performance.
Detrimental social impact
Imprisonment disrupts relationships and weakens social cohesion,since the maintenance of such cohesion is based on long-term relationships.When a member of a family is imprisoned,the disruption of the family structure affects relationships between spouses,as well as between parents and children,reshaping the family and community across generations.Mass imprisonment produces a deep social transformation in families and communities.
The cost of imprisonment
Taking into account the above considerations,it is essential to note that,when considering the cost of imprisonment,account needs to be taken not only of the actual funds spent on the upkeep of each prisoner,which is usually significantly higher than what is spent on a person sentenced to non-custodial sanctions,but also of the indirect costs,such as the social,economic and healthcare related costs,which are difficult to measure,but which are immense and long-term.