Plan B Forum

An MP has hit out after it was revealed that nearly 200 prisoners were let out for driving lessons last year – with some of the sessions funded by the taxpayer.

Ministry of Justice bosses said inmates pay for their lessons – but there are exceptional circumstances where prisons may pay some of the costs if it is considered integral to the offender’s rehabilitation.

Figures show that in 2013, 190 inmates took lessons or tests with driving schools contracted to prisons. Yet more received free HGV driving lessons funded by charities.

The figures were uncovered through a parliamentary question by Philip Davies, Tory MP for Shipley, West Yorkshire.

He said: ‘Prisons are places where persistent and serious offenders are sent to be punished for their crimes.

‘It should not be the place to have driving lessons at the taxpayer’s expense.

‘This is just another example of the soft justice we have in this country, which is why so many people have lost faith in the criminal justice system.’

The revelations came after it emerged inmates at Standford Hill open prison in Kent were being sent on HGV and forklift truck courses to stop them reoffending.

Funding for the lessons comes from charitable donations, including from the Royal London Society and the Salvation Army, and has to be paid back once jobs are found.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: ‘Only prisoners who pass a rigorous risk assessment can take driving lessons, which they are expected to pay for themselves.

‘Our priority is to rehabilitate prisoners and driving lessons can help secure work on release so they don’t return to a life of crime.’

Philip Davies, Tory MP for Shipley, West Yorkshire [...] said: ‘Prisons are places where persistent and serious offenders are sent to be punished for their crimes. It should not be the place to have driving lessons at the taxpayer’s expense.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: ‘Only prisoners who pass a rigorous risk assessment can take driving lessons, which they are expected to pay for themselves.

‘Our priority is to rehabilitate prisoners and driving lessons can help secure work on release so they don’t return to a life of crime.’

Ministry of Justice bosses said lags pay for their lessons but there are exceptional circumstances where establishments may pay some of the costs if it is considered integral to the offender’s rehabilitation

Ministry of Justice bosses said lags pay for their lessons but there are exceptional circumstances where establishments may pay some of the costs if it is considered integral to the offender’s rehabilitation *

[...]

* if, however, a prisoner is NOT rehabilitated and DOES "return to a life of crime" the same establishments will always, in every circumstance (not just in "exceptional circumstances"), pay ALL of the costs of re-imprisonment. But that's okay, because no matter how much the cost of another year or two in prison exceeds the cost of driving lessons, it's never worth taking a chance, even with the most "rigorous risk assessment". No no not ever never ever ever.

ETA: I don't imagine that those convicts who are trained only to drive a forklift truck will be particularly well prepared for careers as getaway drivers....

rubato wrote:In a tiny little island country how useful can a 'getaway' driver be? There is literally* no where to run to.

yrs,
rubato

* a rare accurate use of the term.