Sentencing shoplifters

SIR – Rory Stewart, the prisons minister, has said that “people coming in for very short sentences are statistically more likely [to reoffend] than if they were not sent to prison at all” (Magazine, January 12).

As almost all those given very short sentences are shoplifters, and shoplifters are almost never jailed for a first offence, it seems probable that they do not reoffend because they were jailed; they were jailed because they have reoffended.

What is a magistrate to do with a serial thief who cannot pay a fine, and never turns up to do his community service? Under the proposed new law he would be strongly tempted to give him seven months in jail, instead of – say – four, so that at least he does not get off scot-free. John Hart

Chelmsford, Essex