Ex FH Pat - who says you've upset anyone? If you post an opinion and people disagree, so what? Or do you not want people to reply?

Putting people in prison is a traditionally Tory policy. This new policy is quite a departure. Yet you seem to be objecting to it purely on party lines. I'm no lover of the Conservative party, but I am very interested to see where they go with this new approach. I've been a victim of crime a few times in my life. Would I rather see the person locked up as 'punishment' or would I like to see them re- educated and redirected in their lives? By all means, lock 'em up for a few years, so they can come straight back out and carry on where they left off, with a few new tricks up their sleeves.

There are some criminals for whom prison is the only option. There are many more for which it is of no benefit at all, and if it doesn't change them, it doesn't benefit me.