Sherington Tory

In their latest leaflet the Lib Dems propose their 5 point plan for tackling crime.

One of the proposals is to make prisoners work while they are incarcerated.

Looks good doesn't it? Tough on those criminals the Lib dems. Or are they?

Let me show you "Prison Rule 51 Offences Against Prison Discipline" section 21 which makes it an offence punishable by adjudication by a Prison Governor for a prisoner who:

Intentionally fail(s) to work properly or, being required to work, refuse to do so;

Prisoners are already required to engage in "purposeful activity" which means either work or education. Failure to comply with the regime is sanctioned either by being downgraded to a basic regime (which has erstrictions of privilege ) or in the worst cases being placed in segregation (solitary confinement) for up to 7 days. The only general exception are prisoners "on the rule" or who are segregated from the general population of the prison for their own safety (for example if they are a known sex offender, "pad thief" or someone who steals from other prisoners, an informant and so on)

Yet again another cynical lib Dem claim to be doing something they aren't to add to the recent plethora of examples. The lib Dems would try and take credit for the sun coming up in the morning if they thought it would snatch them a vote at election time!