ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on prisons in England and Wales. Prison labour is only one among many areas dealt with in inspections, and is specifically mentioned in only about one-quarter of the reports. Many of the developments and crises in the prison system have had important repercussions for prison labour, while developments in prison labour may have important implications for prison regimes in the future. One of the most influential prison studies ever conducted in England is a detailed sociological account of Pentonville prison, London. The Prisoners Earnings Bill 1996 had an easy passage through Parliament and received Royal Assent in July 1996. However, its implementation will require amendment of the prison rules and prison service administrative instructions. Racial discrimination has for many years been regarded as a problem area within prisons. Stephen Hobhouse and Fenner Brockway concluded that prison labour had a low priority within prisons.
