Will Empowering Parents Bring Relief To Overcrowded UK Prisons?

Only if we all have blocked out any source of local and world news in our daily lives, otherwise we all know about the overcrowded prison system. Prisoners in the UK are so many that they overwhelmed the correctional facilities across the UK. This means that too many people have been tagged criminal by the system. EducationMatters #UKPrisonReform #EmpowerParents #SupportTeachers #CommunityImpact

So basically, this means that the United Kingdom’s prison system is facing an unprecedented crisis. Overcrowding, violence, and crime rates have reached alarming levels, that the system had to release some people earlier than their due dates, to create space for the anticipated offenders.

However, beyond the surface-level symptoms lies a deeper issue, and that is the erosion of teachers, and parental authority and responsibility. If we are being honest, there is a reason why the family unit was created in the first place.

When a Government which is meant to oversee all the activities of the small unit under it, pushes to become the units themselves, then an issue is born.

A family unit and school are responsible for the right upbringing of a human born or adopted to it, they raise that being to meet the societal standard that the government and other lawmakers have set, and let them into the society, when they are officially adults. So they get into society, holding on to the teachings from the family and school they come from, hoping to make them proud, adoring their sense of belonging. If it is a good family that has taught them well, they give less trouble to society, the police, the court, and the government.

But in a case where the Government, as busy as it seems, takes away the disciplinary power of the family and institutions and even takes away the child from the family and straight into the system, a system too busy to properly look after, or even train the child, then the government produces beings that will become thorns on its flesh like we have today.

While the Government unintentionally undermines the role of a family to its detriment, it is clear that the result is coming back to bite, and bite hard. The family is actually in existence to assist the government (Lawmakers, Law enforcement, Judiciary). They slash the tendencies of crime in society, by instilling morals.

But a system deprives families of this role and takes up a role they are way too busy to execute, giving dangerous options for minors to step away from the family setting, and into a system, that leaves them to their choices, whether good or bad. Striping them of their first sense of belonging, literally taking power away from parents, putting them in the hands of children.

Beautifully, this system was first established to save endangered children from horrible situations in broken families with incompetent parents and guardians, then it sadly degenerated to simply uprooting kids being disciplined, into a supposed free society, which leaves the kids most times without directions of guardians. They become affected in more ways than anyone could imagine.

After the system used its power to achieve this, they are now faced with a weird case of too many criminals being sent to correctional facilities, because they left children to train themselves, creating fast-growing children without training, who end up becoming free adults without training, and who the Government has to train in correctional facilities.

What should have been done long ago by family units, when the kids were still teachable, correctable, and even mouldable, is what the Government tries to do when they are all grown, solidified, and already taken a form.

Now the the Prisons, are not enough to hold these grown people who are most likely with one mental issue or the other, following their chosen upbringing, and bringing to light, disturbing matters like:

1. Overcrowding: Prisons operate at 140% capacity, exacerbating tensions and violence.

2. Recidivism: 48% of released prisoners re-offend within a year.3.

3. Police workload: Officers spend excessive time dealing with preventable crimes.

4. Government burden: Taxpayers fund the £3.2 billion annual prison budget.

The Root Cause: Undermining Parental Authority

The government’s gradual erosion of parental responsibility has contributed to the crisis:

1. Diminishing parental rights: Laws and policies have reduced parents’ ability to discipline and guide.

2. State intervention: Authorities increasingly intervene in family matters, undermining parental authority.

3. Lack of support: Insufficient resources and guidance for parents exacerbate the problem.

Consequences of Weakened Parental Influence

The effects of diminished parental authority are far-reaching:

1. Unguided youth: Children lack clear boundaries and values, leading to behavioural issues.

2. Increased crime: Undisciplined youth are more likely to engage in criminal activity.

3. Strained social services: Local authorities and police bear the brunt of parental failures.

Restoring Parental Authority: A Solution

Empowering parents and teachers to train and correct their children can:

1. Prevent crime: Parents can reduce the likelihood of their offspring engaging in criminal behaviour by instilling values and discipline.

2. Reduce recidivism: Effective parenting can help rehabilitate young offenders.

3. Alleviate systemic pressure: By addressing the root cause, the prison system, police, and government can focus on more serious offenders.

Government Initiatives and Support

To facilitate this shift, the government should:

1. Strengthen parental rights: Reinstate parents’ authority to discipline and guide.

2. Provide resources: Offer accessible parenting classes, counselling, and support services rather than permanently removing children.

3. Promote family-friendly policies: Encourage work-life balance and flexible working arrangements.

Community Engagement and Partnership

Collaboration between parents, schools, community organizations, and local authorities is vital:

1. Parent-teacher associations: Foster open communication and cooperation.

2. Community programs: Develop initiatives focusing on youth development and family support.

3. Local authority engagement: Ensure effective communication and resource allocation.

Conclusion

The overcrowded UK prison system is a symptom of a broader societal issue. By recognizing the critical role parents play in shaping their children’s values and behaviour, we can address the root cause of the crisis. Empowering parents, reinstating their authority, and providing support can break the cycle of crime and alleviate pressure on the prison system.