The Council of Kerlile will meet on Friday to debate a prison reform bill proposed by Councillor Carmen Robinson. If passed, the bill would radically change the Kerlian prison system: reducing the number of prison classifications from 9 to 4; ending involuntary labour in prisons; shutting down all detention facilities in the Restricted Region permanently, and improving access to healthcare for prisoners.
The landmark bill will, if passed, completely alter the system, bringing about widespread changes that will be welcomed by many prison reform campaigners. It is also expected to be a popular policy abroad, as the Kerlian prison system has come under criticism from various foreign nations in recent years. There have been widespread accusations of torture being used in Kerlian prisons, especially in the Restricted Region.
The Reform Party, led by President Arnott, wishes to see various changes to the prison system, including the shutting down of the Restricted Region and an improvement of the conditions in which prisoners are kept. Councillor Robinson’s bill covers the main demands of the Reform Party with regards to prisons, and has been welcomed by President Arnott as the “first step in building a more caring, compassionate Kerlile”.
The bill would alter the current 9-level classification system, replacing it with four levels: which, controversially, would include a type of detention facility not presently included in the four levels. At present, individuals under the age of 25 may be sentenced to up to five years in an alternative education facility, where individuals are taught Kerlian values in an attempt to rehabilitate them into society. This has been considered separate to the prison system – however, Councillor Robinson’s bill would change that.
The present prison system includes three types of low-security facility (Levels 1-3), for individuals serving short sentences, or deemed unlikely to attempt escape; four medium-security facilities (Levels 4-7), where the majority of criminals are sent, and two types of high-security facility (Levels 8-9). Every Level 8 or 9 facility is located in the Restricted Region, and are reserved for particularly dangerous criminals or those convicted of certain crimes – including treason or terrorism.
Under the new system, the four levels would be as follows: one category would be what are presently known as alternative education facilities. Another would be low-security facilities for individuals serving short sentences (presently Levels 1-2). The third category would be medium-security facilities: however, these would no longer include aspects of involuntary labour as Levels 4-7 currently do. The final category would be high-security facilities, however these would not be located in the Restricted Region and more concern would be given to the welfare of prisoners.
The bill would also put an end to all involuntary labour in prisons, something which is presently a key aspect of Level 4-7 facilities. If the bill passes, these facilities would be shut down, and any future prison labour would be undertaken only with the consent of the prisoners, who would be entitled to some form of payment for their labour. It is expected that this change in particular will be welcomed widely abroad, as the previous system has come under criticism for being akin to ‘slavery’.
The bill would also permanently shut down the Restricted Region, which is currently under investigation by the Council of Kerlile. All activities within the Restricted Region have currently been shut down pending review of the Council, but prisoners remain detained in facilities within the region. If the bill passes, all prisoners would need to be transferred out of the region within a year, and all detention facilities in the Restricted Region would be permanently closed.
Robinson’s bill also mentions the welfare of prisoners, and pledges to increase the number of medical professionals working in detention facilities to ensure that prisoners receive adequate healthcare. The bill would also introduce new guidelines on the treatment of prisoners, ensuring that all prisoners received humane treatment, and freedom from torture while detained in Kerlian facilities.