Comprehension check

Ex. 1. Translate paragraphs 1, 3 in writing.

Ex. 2. Put 8-10 questions on the text so that they will cover its content.

Ex. 3. Choose the heading and match it to the right paragraph:

1. The most frequent form of punishment imposed by lynchers.

2. Charles Lynch, the initiator of vigilante justice.

3. The invention of the guillotine.

4. Passive hanging.

Ex. 4. Mark the following statements as true or false:

1. Joseph Ignace Guillotin suggested the new device because he didn't like the forms of public execution.

2. The guillotine was intended to kill the victim quickly and painlessly.

3. The machine came into use in the 17^th century.

4. Charles Lynch encouraged the fellow citizens to take the law into their own hands.

5. The purpose of lynching was to inflict corporal punishment on criminals.

6. The most frequent form of lynching was shooting.

7. Passive hanging was practiced by Lynch and his cohorts.

Text 6. Prisons

1. The Government aims to provide a humane, efficient and effective prison service. The average inmate population in 1987 in England and Wales was nearly 49,000 and, if past trends continue¹, is projected to rise in the future. The figure for Scotland was 5,588 in 1986. In Northern Ireland the daily average inmate population² reached a peak of almost 3,000 in 1978 but fell to 1,950 in 1987.

2. Prisons to which offenders may be committed directly by a court are known as 'local prisons'; all are closed. Other prisons, open or closed, receive prisoners or transfer from local prisons. (Open prisons do not have physical barriers to prevent escape.) In England, Scotland and Wales sentenced prisoners are classified into groups for security purposes. There are separate prisons for women. There are no open prisons in Northern Ireland, where the majority of offenders are serving sentences for terrorist offences.

3. People awaiting trial in local prisons or in remand centres³ are entitled to privileges not granted to convicted prisoners and, as far as practicable, are separated from convicted prisoners. Those under 21 awaiting trial are, where possible, separated from older prisoners. In 1988 the Government set out proposals in a consultative document under which the private sector would be brought into the management of new remand prisoner facilities subject to certain condition such as security and the humane treatment of inmates: the Government believes that this step could make new remand accommodation available and reduce overcrowding in existing remand centres and local prisons. Feasibility is being examined by a group of management consultants.

4. Many of the prisons in England and Wales were built in the nineteenth century, and are now in need of major repairs. Others are housed in converted premises⁴, which are expensive to maintain. In order to reduce overcrowding⁵ and ensure that all the prisoners are housed in decent conditions⁶, a major programme of building and refurbishment⁷ is now in progress. This includes the construction of 26 prisons, six of which are already complete and in use. In Northern Ireland there is no overcrowding in the six prison establishments, five of which have been built since 1970; two new prisons – one for women – opened in 1986.

Notes: 1) если существующие тенденции продолжатся; 2) заключенные (в тюрьме); 3) центры предварительного заключения; 4) приспособленные помещения; 5) сократить количество заключенных; 6) приличные условия; 7) реконструкция.