Sir David Ramsbotham, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, will give a public lecture at Southwark Cathedral on Monday 16 July at 6.00 pm, with the title 'What Price Imprisonment?'

Sir David is known for his forthright speaking on the need for improvement of conditions in prisons. This lecture is of topical significance in the Diocese where there are four major prisons. There are other links to the theme. The Cathedral is situated in an area which historically catered for the seamier side of London life, with the Clink prison practically next door. The modern probation service also has its roots in the Diocese, and earlier this year the Cathedral hosted a service of thanksgiving for the work of the Inner London Probation Service.

Sir David Ramsbotham, GCB, CBE, was appointed HM Chief Inspector on 1 December 1995 and will be retiring at the end of July 2001. He has deemed many prisons as unacceptable in a civilised society, saying 'People are a nation's resource and should not be squandered or discarded in custodial conditions'.

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