Prison life can be challenging for inmates. When sentenced to prison for serious crimes, the length of the inmate's sentence is determined by the maximum penalty for the crime and prison is considered necessary if the crime is too serious for alternative punishment or if the offender needs to be protected from the public. Once in prison, inmates face personal and social issues and challenges reintegrating into society after their release.

1. What is prison life like? Year 9: Law & Order

2. Learning Objectives Explore the personal and social issues faced by prisoners. Independently research and identify key information regarding prison life Explain the challenges faced by the prison system

3. For the most serious offences the court may impose a prison, or 'custodial', sentence. The length of sentence imposed by the court will be limited by the maximum penalty for that crime. A custodial sentence can only be imposed if: the offence is so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified; the offence is a violent or sexual one and the court believes that only a prison sentence would adequately protect the public; or the offender refuses to comply with the requirements of a community order. When is prison necessary?

4. Prison Bingo Use the information around the room to answer the questions on your prison bingo sheet. Don’t just copy the slides – make sure what you write answers the question. Your answers will help you to solve some problems later

5. The Problem with Prisons Is prison an effective deterrent? Prisons have been described as ‘Colleges of Crime’ - What might this mean? What challenges are faced by prisoners when they leave prison and can these be overcome? In your opinion, what can we do to reduce the amount of people going to prison in the UK?