by Kevin Meagher
As campaign slogans go: “Soft on criminals, soft on the bedtime of criminals” is hardly a winner.
But it nevertheless appears to be Labour party policy after Shadow Justice Secretary Sadiq Khan today described the government’s bid to introduce a new 10.30pm “lights out” policy in young offender institutions as a “gimmick”.
Justice Secretary, Chris Grayling, believes the move will help inmates (“most of whom have had chaotic and troubled lives”) by setting clearer boundaries and instilling some much-needed self-discipline.
According to today’s Independent, prison governors have been told to enforce the new policy from August. After 10.30, watching television – or reading under the covers – will be strictly banned and staff patrols will enforce the measure, including removing privileges from anyone breaking the new rules.
At the same time, however, Grayling also proposes to “more than double” the hours of education and training that under-18s in custody receive each week.
Khan’s – and Labour’s – response?
“Routine is crucial for those with chaotic lives, but to think that turning the lights off at the same time in every youth prison is all that’s needed to turn them all into law-abiding citizens is a joke,” he said.
“This looks like a gimmick to cover the cracks caused by Grayling’s cuts.”
“A joke?” Really? “A gimmick?” Was this response off-the-cuff? And who was Khan aiming it at?
Why did he not say something more balanced like: “Setting boundaries for young offenders is sensible and helps provide structure and encourage self-discipline; however Chris Grayling’s cuts to prison budgets means there are concerns about staffing these new arrangements.”
