Court sentences
Sir,—Your editorial (February 7) discussing “Sentences of community work” and the criminal justice, system is a welcome addition to the public debate, such as it is. However, along with the “lesser penalties” you mention, it seems that imprisonment is just as unlikely to deter offenders and may in fact make them more likely to reoffend. It is a lot more expensive. Sentences ' short of imprisonment such as periodic detention and to a lesser extent probation, involve a degree of loss of freedom, and perhaps it is indicative of the value we put on freedom in this country that sentences such as these are seen as “light” We still imprison too many people unnecessarily. You imply that the courts and a range of alternative sentences can diminish crime, -f tbelieve that changes in
society are just as important.—Yours, etc., KEVIN FOLEY. February 9, 1981.
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Press, 10 February 1981, Page 16
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145Court sentences Press, 10 February 1981, Page 16
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