We free killers – and let down victims instead

Nothing brought home to me more vividly the extent to which society fails the victim than your report last week on how dangerous criminals who have breached the conditions of their release are spared being sent back to prison. These offenders include murderers, yet officials are being told to bend over backwards to avoid sending them back to jail to keep the prison population down.

I would have thought the Government would have learned its lesson about being soft on criminals with the case you highlighted. Simon Mellors had served 12 years for killing his partner and, on release, began stalking another woman, Janet Scott, who told his probation officer he had threatened to kill her. But Mellors was not recalled to prison and killed Scott.

I am sure I am joined by thousands of victims in thinking we let criminals get off too lightly, while those they harm often receive little help or consolation. It’s time that changed. David Courtney, Weston-super-Mare I was shocked to read details of the rapists and murderers released from prison only to attack again. I believe that those involved in the release of such people should be held responsible and jailed themselves if the criminals reoffend. Sue Storey, Eastbourne The answer to this problem is very simple – build more prisons. Angus Long, Newcastle Prison has become so cushy that I don’t think many criminals mind being on the inside. It’s the liberals who are beating themselves up about all this.

Surely the main thing is that dangerous criminals are kept off the streets. J. Benn, London The Government should stop saying prisons are too overcrowded and start building more immediately. And life behind bars should be a deterrent.

Now we have Justice Secretary David Gauke thinking prisoners should be given landlines in their cells to improve their behaviour, with a trial already launched in 20 prisons.

Personally, I don’t care if convicts can’t keep in touch with their families as easily or have no privacy to make phone calls. Maybe that’s the shock they need to stop them reoffending.

Install more phones on landings if that helps reduce fights between inmates. Improve security and searches if mobile phone and drug smuggling is as rife as reported. Employ more prison staff and improve their working conditions and security. But stop insulting victims of crime by making it so easy for criminals to continue their ‘business’ with the outside world.

It’s obvious that being permitted to ring ‘approved numbers’ only isn’t going to be much of a challenge for inmates and their contacts on the outside to circumvent. Ann Johnson, Runcorn, Cheshire