More than ever before.

A national riot is around the corner.

There will be breakouts including some very nasty people indeed.

Insanity in Government? Oh yes.

Huge number of people,and the costs in cash alone must be horrific! Let alone all the hidden and emotional costs.
Now we all know you have to lock certain people away,but given the more recent investigations which have proved innocent people are are among those inside,well any informed estimates of a percent?
Also would it be more effective to look at other deterrents for non violent and smaller crimes? Jail for violence of course,but for other things more appropriate alternatives that can double as both deterrent and punishment,more appropriate to the crime committed.

In my personal experience SE (and remember I spent 3.5 years in three large prisons, so I do have knowledge, as do all the prison officers, governors, chaplains and staff - ALL of whom are being ignored by politicians who only listen to tabloids) - 50% of those inside ought NOT to be there.

They are either innocent or changed or - the vast majority (like me) guilty of lesser crimes that do not warrant jail terms.

NOMS to be folded - the ridiculous National Offender Management scheme which everyone, both when I was inside and when I came out on parole with probation - said was a disaster, is being closed... 2.6 BILLION pounds later.

If they had listened to those who work in the system, perhaps the money could have been better spent finding murderers (like whoever killed Milly Dowler) and stopping crimes.

Society is going mad.

I remember with great sadness the Stefan Kiszko case. 16 years in prison for the murder of 11 year old Lesley Moleseed. A murder he didn't committ. A confession was forced out of him by police. Probably the worst miscarriage of justice ever, and it unfortunately destroyed his mother too. Not forgetting Sally Clark...what disturbs me is that those responsible for their wrongful convictions never appear to be brought to justice themselves.

Don't even get me started on Barry George..