An assessment of what is likely to happen in the future. Prison is sometimes used because the court is not satisfied that appropriate alternative community punishments exist. There is also a perception that community alternatives are a soft option. It would be extremely useful to examine the alternative punishments which already exist, assess their relative effectiveness, consider whether there is scope for new alternatives, consider how the public might be convinced that they are often a more effective form of punishment than prison for some offenders. The Centre has obtained funding from the Northern Rock Foundation to carry out research into the possibility of extending restorative justice work in prisons.
Imprisonment is primarily a Western concept.
It is not indigenous in a number of cultures. This is an appropriate moment to examine models which exist in developing countries and to consider what lessons might be learned for other countries. Developing a strategic approach to prison reform which would be based on the involvement of prison staff and the development of their professional role. There are a number of examples of how this has been achieved. These would be used as case studies.