There is a biblical saying from the Book of Proverbs stating ‘An idle mind is the devil’s workshop’. You may wonder where I am going with this, so please let me explain.
The current prison capacity seems to be inadequate, which is one explanation or justification for an early release programme, for which I have some serious reservations. The rate of re-offending is quite high from what I am told, and I don’t think the probation service has anywhere near sufficient time or capacity to cope with this sudden increase in demand.
My question to the government is, what programmes have been organised (including funding) to mitigate such outcomes which many of us warned about? How seriously were the concerns of victims considered down in Whitehall - probably precious little - and did the Home Office make any representation regarding the extra demand put on our police force?
I am a very firm believer that offenders should be punished since committing crime should have consequences for the offender, and there is a requirement for the victims to believe our criminal justice system serves their interests properly. That said, I believe society should do far more to prevent crime in the first place and have a much greater focus on reducing re-offending. An economic assessment of this would be useful bearing in mind each prison place costs the taxpayer - on an annual basis, nearly £60,000.
This is where our crime and disorder reduction grant scheme has a very positive contribution to make for crime prevention. I am particularly concerned to do whatever we can to support the younger generation who, in far too many cases, have not had an easy start to life. This is more acute in their adolescent years as they prepare to enter the workplace. I often reflect on the large number of youngsters who sadly might have been expelled from school, or are in care, and find daily life quite traumatic. Too often the wrong choices are made in spite of the best endeavours of those who look after them. We need to ensure these idle hands are used in a positive way.
Earlier this year I visited one of the organisations awarded one of those grants - the charity Volunteer It Yourself, who help youngsters over in Brandon. The youngsters were being taught practical skills in carpentry and decorating and I was very impressed with their achievements. For carpentry the basic skills needed for using a variety of skills such as saws, drills, hammers and much more to construct wooden planters for community use. In order to make good quality planters, other skills were needed such as accurate measurement, quantity of materials and following precise instructions. The results were excellent and this should remind all of us that society cannot function without people who are accomplished joiners and carpenters – whilst very important, school education is not all about academic prowess. Everyone has the potential to be good at something!
During my visit to Brandon, I was delighted to look in at the Alumah office which was being redecorated by the Volunteer It Yourself participants. Alumah is another Suffolk charity that supports victims of domestic abuse and violence.
The redecorating project required the young people to prepare and clean the surfaces prior to painting including filling cracks in the masonry and the doorframes. A steady hand is definitely required at the “meeting” of the ceiling and walls - the cutting in was to my eye, perfect. I would be very happy for them to come and decorate my home! As an aside the paint was supplied by Dulux, a big local employer based in Stowmarket.
Volunteer It Yourself are to be congratulated on what they do to support our young people. Many of their projects across the county have helped local communities, and the attendees often progress with qualifications, so they are far more employable. Consequently, they become good citizens we can all be proud of.
In Suffolk we are so fortunate to have such viable and committed charities helping our youngsters – that contribution undoubtedly is helping Suffolk have such low recorded crime levels in comparison to most other police force areas.
Published in Bury Free Press in March 2026