AT the same time that 1,700 prisoners are released because of overcrowding, we’ve been promised by the Labour government that around 1,000 will be released every week for some time to come.

But we’re assured for now they are not dangerous ones. This crisis is a result of a misguided approach in the UK Criminal Justice System that has lasted decades over both governments.

The reason why our prisons are so full is because many people aren’t afraid of going there. 

There’s been this very odd obsession with ‘rehabilitation’ not punishment. I have previously questioned the emphasis on ‘rehabilitation’ over punishment for those that commit terrible crimes, while being fully aware of the evil they do. 

And this flawed approach has resulted in the current crisis. If people were afraid of prison, and were sent there, there would be less crime and fewer prisoners.

Alan Bates, by email