Crime and punishment

I AM sorry, but in your Editorial (Yorkshire Post, June 8) you say that prison does not work. You are completely wrong.

For most first-timers, the clang of the prison gates, with them on the inside, nearly frightens them to death.

Prison would work far better if heavier sentences – in fact, some maximum ones – were given out by our judges, with no time off for good behaviour, converting people to the idea that crime does not pay.

Restrictive practices

From: Arthur Quarmby, Holme, Holmfirth.

SOME decades ago, when the Labour government was proposing to remove all controls and restrictions on the sale of alcohol, it claimed that this would eliminate binge drinking and reduce alcohol abuse.

Has this worked? The reason I ask is that suggestions are afoot to decriminalise addictive drugs, which may be expected to have a similar result.

One could contrast that with the virtual elimination of smoking; a tremendous success, partly achieved by restricting supply and banning advertising.

Listening to the people

From: Dr Hilary Andrews, Nursery Lane, Leeds.

Why are the Lib Dems and the Conservatives arguing about who is responsible for the revisions in the NHS Bill (Yorkshire Post, June 14)?

Surely what is important is that the Government has listened to the public and medical professionals, and acted upon what they have heard.

This has to be the way of the Government starting to regain the confidence of the electorate.

Knight shift

From: Terry Palmer, South Lea Avenue, Hoyland. Barnsley.

AT long last!

The grovelling can now stop with the announcement that 79 MPs have swung it for Bruce Forsyth to be awarded a knighthood.