Prison rehabilitation has failed, leaving citizens helpless against crime

SIR – It has never been easier to engage in criminal activity, thanks to the internet and the availability of alcohol and drugs. It has never been easier to avoid being caught, because of the lack of police and the focus of those who remain being firmly focused on fashionable causes elsewhere.

It has never been easier to avoid being charged and convicted because the police issue cautions and the CPS has been eviscerated. And sentences have never been easier, as fines are increasingly unenforced, community sentences are anaemic and prison terms unlikely to be imposed.

Even in prison, conditions have never been less demanding, drugs more available or prison staff fewer.

Crucially, whatever rehabilitative programmes are put in place (whether within community sentences or in custody) the twin problems of addiction and the prisoner’s social circle will never easily be resolved.

In other words, dealing with an addiction when the addict isn’t motivated to change is almost impossible, and this is often the case with younger criminals. And, even if a programme works in custody, the certainty that he is going to return to his previous social setting – with the influences it contains – means that the good work is almost always undone.

Meanwhile, more and more people experience the depressing response of the police to crimes against them. They are expected to investigate or provide evidence, or, ludicrously, they are told that no further action will be taken even if such evidence exists. So people increasingly resent the police.

The Government would do well to deal with the whole picture, rather than a small, financially attractive, subsection of crime and punishment. Mark D Allen

East Grinstead, West Sussex

SIR – David Gauke, the Justice Secretary, is right to say that rehabilitation and redemption are better than retribution (report, July 20). This approach will help to protect the public, as evidence shows that short bursts of imprisonment lead to more offending and more victims.

Steps to reduce pressure on prisons will save lives, protect staff and prevent people being swept deeper into crime, violence and despair. Frances Crook

Chief Executive

The Howard League for Penal Reform London N1

SIR – If Mr Gauke feels that short prison sentences are not working, he might consider longer ones. Michael Harding

Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire

SIR – Abolish-prison campaigners can rattle on as much as they like. Their statistics only bear fruit if you miss out the two most important factors.

First, the prime purpose of prison is as a punishment for those who won’t behave in a civilised manner.

Secondly, criminals don’t reoffend while serving a prison sentence. Bernard Donning

Wigan, Lancashire