UK: Prison life is so comfortable and the drugs are so cheap that prisoners don't want to escape

The Daily Mail (U.K.) ^ | April 24, 2008

[Stoat]

I've heard that here in the USA, various bums ("homeless") and assorted criminals will also commit crimes just so that they can be thrown into prison because they find it easier there then on the outside.  Not being involved with law enforcement or the prison system I  don't know how widespread this is, however.

Translation Assistance:

Lag \Lag\, n. One transported for a crime. [Slang, Eng.]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

 
Lag \Lag\, v. t. To transport for crime. [Slang, Eng.]

She lags us if we poach. --De Quincey.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Definition of Lag from dictionary.net

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A related FR thread that may be of interest:

Inside America's toughest jail (Brit paper says Sheriff Joe Arpaio's ideas would be great for U.K.)

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Please say a prayer for the people of Great Britain

 

[Puppage]

UK: Prison life is so comfortable and the drugs are so cheap that prisoners don't want to escape

But, what about Turner Brown?

[The SISU kid]

Not-A-Ping

[The SISU kid]

But, what about Turner Brown?

And his brother Ben Dover.....

8^)

[Red Badger]

...and all the sex you could ever ask for!............

[2banana]

Probably has more to do with the cost of housing in London...

[meandog]

British Prison "rules" check this out click here and have a barf bag at the ready!

[Sax]

Looks like a college dorm.

[TheBattman]

Absolutely outrageous - but not a surprise. Britain’s crime rate has continued to skyrocket, while their treatment of criminals has become more and more lax.

Unfortunately, we have the same problem here, although to a lesser degree.

[Stoat]

British Prison "rules" check this out click here and have a barf bag at the ready!
 

I readily admit that I've only given that page a cursory read so far and I'm wondering if you would be so kind as to point out the part(s) that you find particularly objectionable?  It seems that most points are of a rather general nature, with specifics usually being deferred to the Governor of the prison in question or the Secretary of State.  I seem to be missing the point(s) that you're referring to.

[Prokopton]

I've heard that here in the USA, various bums ("homeless") and assorted criminals will also commit crimes just so that they can be thrown into prison because they find it easier there then on the outside. Not being involved with law enforcement or the prison system I don't know how widespread this is, however.

It happens, but it is usually the homeless, often during cold weather, committing relatively minor crimes to get "three hots and a cot". Many of these people have mental and/or alcohol problems. Throwing a rock through a store window seems to be one of the most popular crimes. When the person is arraigned they say they have no permanent address so the courts will demand bail or bond to insure their court appearances. This is, of course, is what the defendant wants because he is happy to stay in jail for awhile. I don't think there are a lot of people committing felonies in order to get sentenced to prison.

[Stoat]

Looks like a college dorm.

Indeed...it looks much neater and cleaner than some dorm rooms I've visited  :-)

[Stoat]

I appreciate your clarification, thank you.

[meandog]

I readily admit that I've only given that page a cursory read so far and I'm wondering if you would be so kind as to point out the part(s) that you find particularly objectionable?

Use of force

47. - (1) An officer in dealing with a prisoner shall not use force unnecessarily and, when the application of force to a prisoner is necessary, no more force than is necessary shall be used.

(2) No officer shall act deliberately in a manner calculated to provoke a prisoner.

...This is extremely slanted to the benefit of the inmate; then again, I once dealt with such in previous employment.

[L,TOWM]

Absolutely true. Minor crimes to get a warm place to stay, maybe a shower, and a few free meals.

[Stoat]

I once dealt with such in previous employment.

I'm very sorry to hear that, and I sincerely hope that you're in a more congenial work environment now.

[Stoat]

Absolutely true. Minor crimes to get a warm place to stay, maybe a shower, and a few free meals.

A very depressing societal commentary.  However, I'm guessing that this sort of thing doesn't happen too often in Sheriff Joe Arpaio's jurisdiction.  I do wish that cloning science would get moving faster so that we can clone several more of him  :-)

Inside America's toughest jail (Brit paper says Sheriff Joe Arpaio's ideas would be great for U.K.)

[Slings and Arrows]

It's like a bizzare parody of The Mouse That Roared.

[Clump]

As a prosecutor I would regularly have to approve cases where a woman would call 911 from a pay phone and give her location and the crime she is guilty of committing. This happens all during the winter. It is always homeless people of course.

[The SISU kid]

It's like a bizzare parody of The Mouse That Roared.

Yeah Brother! One of my best fantasies! To buy my own island, declare war on the U.S.A., and be rebuilt and coddled for the rest of my life!!!!

maybe I should denounce my citizenship, flee and sneek back in??

(oh well at least I can can dream, can't he?)

8^)