Douglas Hurd didn’t say ‘prison is an expensive way of making bad people worse’

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-08-30T13:20:19.715Z • Permanent link

Misattribution has long plagued the realm of quotes, and the oft-misattributed phrase 'prison is an expensive way of making bad people worse' is a prime example. Recent claims have emerged that Douglas Hurd, the former UK Home Secretary, uttered these words, but such is the complexity of quote attribution that the true originator of the phrase remains shrouded in mystery. According to Jon Silverman, a prominent figure in the field, the phrase was probably penned by civil servant David Faulker, albeit with a crucial distinction.

David Faulker's original letter, which was published in 1985, highlighted the issue of lengthy prison sentences, advocating for reform and questioning the efficacy of such measures. Faulker's letter was a significant event in the UK's penal reform debate, sparking a national conversation about the role of incarceration in society. Meanwhile, Douglas Hurd, who served as Home Secretary from 1987 to 1990, was also an outspoken advocate for prison reform, introducing a number of initiatives aimed at reducing recidivism rates and promoting rehabilitation.

Faulker's original words, however, were not simply a reiteration of Hurd's views, but rather a distinct perspective that challenged the prevailing wisdom of the time. Faulker's argument was that prolonged imprisonment could, in fact, exacerbate the problems it sought to address, leading to a cycle of recidivism and reoffending. Faulker's critique was a powerful one, and it continues to resonate in the world of criminal justice today.

The misattribution of quotes can have far-reaching consequences, particularly in the world of data sources, where accuracy and reliability are paramount. Companies like LexisNexis and Westlaw, which provide critical data and analytics for researchers and policymakers, rely heavily on accurate attribution of quotes and statistics. A single misattribution can have a ripple effect, undermining the credibility of entire datasets and research papers.

For researchers, the consequences of misattribution can be particularly severe. A single mistake can be enough to discredit an entire study, casting doubt on the findings and conclusions. In the world of data journalism, where accuracy is paramount, the stakes are even higher. A single misattribution can have real-world consequences, influencing policy decisions and shaping public opinion.

The issue of quote misattribution is not unique to the UK or the world of criminal justice. In fact, it is a pervasive problem that affects many fields, from politics to science to technology. The rise of social media and the 24-hour news cycle has created a culture of instant gratification, where quotes and statistics are often taken out of context or misattributed without scrutiny.