B1 – Intermediate
In the UK, prisons are nearing full capacity, a concerning trend that experts warn leads to unsafe conditions for both inmates and staff. If arrests and convictions continue at the current pace, prison spaces are expected to run out within a matter of weeks. In an effort to address the situation, the new Labour administration announced on Friday that thousands of prisoners would be released before completing their sentences.
Discover more by reading the article about prisons in the UK having serious problems with overcrowding.
https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2407/240715-overcrowded-prisons.html
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “on the point of collapse” mean in this sentence? “Prisons are on the point of collapse“. Use the phrase “on the point of collapse” in your own sentence.
- Define the phrase “to run out”. “ If space ran out, there would be nowhere to put those arrested or newly sentenced.” Use “to run out” in your own sentence.
- What does the idiom “to run amok” mean? “Mahmood said there would be “looters running amok, smashing windows, robbing shops and setting neighbourhoods alight.” Use it in a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- What are your thoughts on the new Labour administration’s solution?
- If you could offer a suggestion to address the issue, what do you think is the best approach to solving prison overcrowding?
- What are the prisons like in your country?
- Do you think the current prison system is effective in reducing crime in your country? Explain.