The debate over whether serving time in prison should be more about punishment than rehabilitation has been going on forever. Therefore, I shall suffice to share that I side with advocates who believe that our common humanity and enlightened interest (should) compel us to do all we can to rehabilitate all prisoners – even those sentenced, inhumanely, to death.
This is why I was so encouraged by a story the BBC featured yesterday on the opening of a Cardiff restaurant that is staffed by inmates from a nearby prison.
More than 30 low risk prisoners from Cardiff and Prescoed jails work at The Clink Cymru, a 96-cover restaurant next to Cardiff prison.
Set up by The Clink charity and the prison service, it is aimed at reducing reoffending rates by helping low-risk prisoners develop employable skills.
The charity said the project was “a positive influence” on rehabilitation.
The inmates, all Category D, work full-time in the restaurant and its kitchen, before returning to their prisons at the end of the day.
In doing so they are training towards gaining City and Guilds NVQ qualifications and, on their release, the charity will help them find employment within the Welsh catering and hospitality industry.
Frankly, I find it utterly incomprehensible that anybody in his right mind could oppose this program. The benefits – in terms of prison violence and recidivism – seem so obvious. In fact, I think every prison service in the civilized world should establish similar linkages to provide full-time work for all inmates – even if that means working on chain gangs picking up trash.
All the same, it smacks too much of Chinese-style labor camps to pay inmates a prison wage of (only) around $19 a week instead of a minimum wage of around $40 a day. After all, to fully appreciate the dignity and value of work, one should be paid a fair wage. I would recommend one-third be earmarked for a victim’s compensation fund, one–third for his/her room and board, and one-third for a savings account in that inmate’s name.
Call me crazy … maybe.