Quiet Storm is an engaging short film (about 5 minutes long) which provides an insight into how little is done to prepare many US prisoners for their return to society on release from prison. Why not check it out by following the link above or clicking below:
Anyone have any experience of how prisoners are prepared for release in the UK? Please let readers know by posting a comment below.
Tags: Prison system, Rehabilitation
This is a pretty hot topic right now, with attention focused on the circumstances surrounding the release of Raoul Moat from Durham Prison. Moat was only in for 18 weeks, but how Durham helped Moat prepare for his release is still relevant, I think. The idea that Jack Ballo’s foster son was to be release with a train ticket and $40 is genuinely shocking.
Simon, thanks so much for your comment.
The similarities between Jack Ballo’s son’s early life described in the short film “Quiet Storm” and Jack Abbott’s early life described in his book “In the Belly of the Beast” are remarkable. Firstly, the foster care which went wrong, leading to institutional care via correction centres and then prison – a truly slippery slope. Secondly, the seemingly inadequate preparation for release into civilian society.
Judging by the recent case of Raoul Moat’s inadequate preparation for release from Durham prison, it seems Britain also has a problem with its preparation for the release of prisoners into civilian society.
Although the media circus surrounding Raoul Moat’s death was somewhat disgusting, the lack of preparation before his release was even more disappointing. Why weren’t his significant others pre-warned of his imminent release? Why weren’t his allegedly threatening comments pre-release acted upon? What good did the 18 weeks in prison do Raoul Moat, the victims of his crime, his partner, his family, his local community or anyone else?
We must find a better solution than prison – especially for sentences as short as 18 weeks!
PS Many thanks too for your expert advice on re-sizing the embedded YouTube video clip.