Prisoners to earn TV access under new rules
A tougher prison regime would mean no automatic gym or TV access
By Nicole Hamer |11:00 30 April 2013
The Justice Secretary Chris Grayling is to announce a tougher prison regime for England and Wales on Tuesday, 30th April. This is expected to relate to inmates earning ‘privileges’.
Currently in the ‘absence of bad behaviour’ prisoners automatically gain privileges. The new plans would mean that privileges would have to be earned, such as watching television and using the gym.
The changes to the Incentives and Earned Privileges scheme would mean that if inmates don’t partake in rehab schemes, they could lose perks like having access to a TV.
As well as this, films that are rated 18 are expected to be banned in jail.
Mr. Grayling said: “For too long, there has been an expectation that privileges are an automatic right, given simply as a reward for staying out of trouble. This cannot continue.”
Adding: “Prisoners need to earn privileges, not simply through the avoidance of bad behaviour but also by working, taking part in education or accepting the opportunities to rehabilitate themselves.”
Some critics have expressed that they are not certain the tougher approach to prisons in England and Wales this will work.