People from deprived communities suffer in various ways, from health to employment. Research from Cardiff University highlights how people in such communities are also significantly more likely to find themselves in prison.

Indeed, in 2021, the researchers found that the imprisonment rate in the most deprived communities in England was ten times higher than in the least deprived communities.

Deprived communities

“Our analysis shows a clear link between imprisonment and poverty,” the authors explain. “We argue that more prison places will ‘level down’ rather than ‘level up.’ Rather than throwing good money after bad, a U.K. government interested in ‘leveling-up’ should seek to direct resources to tackle the chronic inequalities stemming from deprivation and poverty in communities across the North West.”

The researchers hope that their report drives home the increasingly close link between crime rates and deprivation and that it’s impossible to tackle one without also getting to grips with the other. Too often, the authors argue, the two are treated as separate issues.

“Our report underlines the need for government officials, policy makers and practitioners to think more seriously about the relationship between imprisonment and deprivation,” the authors conclude. “Against the backdrop of a spiraling cost of living crisis, rising poverty levels, and impending cuts to vital public services, there has arguably never been a more urgent or pressing need for this discussion.”