Five Star Prisons

10th FEBRUARY 2009 - THE CIRCLE CLUB - MANCHESTER

The prison population stands at a staggering 84,000, the largest per capita the population in Europe. Despite the acts of various politicians, both legislatively and metaphorically, the number of people banged away continues to grow. Is prison then the answer in a society that seems so morally flawed and if not what is? This Circle debate will attempt to answer this question and also pose the late John Mortimer’s query “isn’t the true test of a civilised society the way it treats it’s prisoners?”

TOPICS
What is it really like in prisons?
What are prisons costing the country?
Are conditions too hard/ soft?
Is there enough emphasis on rehabilitation?
Is there a better alternative?
Community service?
Are the new longer sentences an improvement?
Should we be ‘Tougher on the causes of crime?’

PANEL
Hosted by HOWARD SHARROCK, Chair of Manchester residents association

PHIL HAMER, freelance journalist
DR DAVID A HOLMES, Lecturer in Psychology & Social Change, Manchester Metropolitan University, an expert on prisons and its issues.
AKIEL CHINELO freelance writer/performer/workshop facilitator. He was released from prison in 2004 after serving an 11 year sentence.
MO RIAZ has spent 20 years of a Life Sentence in every type of prison