Massive shake-up of Britain's prison service unveiled by Cameron

Prime Minister David Cameron announced Monday one of the biggest ever reforms of Britain's prison system.

In what is the first major speech by a premier on the country's penal system for more than 20 years, Cameron has set out his vision for a 'truly 21st century' prison system.

Describing the failure of Britain's prison system today as scandalous, he called for reform to be one of the 'great progressive causes' of British politics. With the right agenda, Cameron said, Britain can be world leaders in change in prison reforms.

Cameron wants to see six new 'reform prisons' created this year, with full autonomy over how they operate and spend their budgets.

The prison education system, which costs almost 190 million U.S. dollars to run, will also be completely transformed with full control being given to 'reform prison' governors.

The aim of the shake-up will be to empower prison staff, drive up standards and cut reoffending by criminals once they are released back into the community.

Cameron has vowed to unleash his reforms across the prisons system, saying he will introduce a new Prisons Bill in the next session of parliament.

The Prime Minister said: "It can be easy for us all - when prisons are closed off by high walls and barbed wire - to adopt an "out of sight, out of mind" attitude. When I say we will tackle our deepest social problems and extend life chances, I want there to be no no-go areas. And that includes the 121 prisons in our country, where our social problems are most acute and people's life chances are most absent."

Cameron insisted prisons are needed for rapists, murderers, child abusers, gang leaders, adding that for him punishment in the form of deprivation of liberty is not a dirty word.

"We need a prison system that doesn't see prisoners as simply liabilities to be managed, but instead as potential assets to be harnessed. But the failure of our system today is scandalous," he said.

Almost half of all prisoners will re-offend within a year of release, with current levels of prison violence, drug-taking and self-harm something that should shame everyone, Cameron said. He added that in a typical week in British prisons there will be almost 600 incidents of self-harm; at least one suicide; and 350 assaults, including 90 on staff. The cycle of reoffending costs Britain 19 billion U.S. dollars a year, he said.

"I never want us to forget that it is the victims of crime who should always be our principal priority. And I am not unrealistic or starry-eyed about what prisons can achieve. Not everyone shows remorse and not everyone seeks redemption.

"But I also strongly believe that we must offer chances to change; that for those trying hard to turn themselves around, we should offer hope; that in a compassionate country, we should help those who've made mistakes to find their way back onto the right path. We need a prison system that doesn't see prisoners as simply liabilities to be managed, but instead as potential assets to be harnessed."

The government has already announced a 1.9 billion U.S. dollars program to build 9 new prisons, closing some of Britain's oldest prisons in the process. Endit