Prison as a deterrent is unfortunate but is presently the only available option

When you have about 70% of rioters – arrested after the horrific week we have just had in the UK – confirmed as ex-convicts, then the threat of them heading back to jail is only effective if it was a scary place the last time they were there, and as such, do not wish to return there.

This is most unfortunate as so many people leave our prisons to reoffend a few weeks later and their offences appear to increase in degree of violence, due to the experiences they have added from being in prison. But if prison isn’t scary, then these hooligans will continue to flaunt the law. So, a dilemma…

Separating those who have committed non-violent crime and rehabilitating them is also not an effective deterrent as the prospect of them ending up in a cell with a deranged murderer is of course a more effective deterrent.
For these UK rioters this past week, the swift justice being handed out to them may deter the few who are not career criminals.