Thank you akenaton for your supportive comments. I do feel that many who speak up for prisoners and their rights have never been inside a jail or met any convicted prisoners serving their sentences. I have talked to several for 2 hrs at a time on Visits, and chatted to family members on their Visits to other inmates. That means quite a lot of conversation, insight and revelations. I've written and received dozens of letters from and to inmates. I've also spoken to many prison officers and chaplains. I've attended Crown Court proceedings and been to weekly Probation with various released inmates. I wanted to make a difference to the offenders and maybe by my support help them to change and 'go straight'. I did this for years, driving all over England to 8 jails, including Parkhurst and The Scrubs. But not ONE inmate changed in any way and they all went out and back in again as if through a revolving door. I learned (slowly, as I was quite naive) that they would always go on offending, robbing, attacking, mugging etc and had no intention of stopping. It's no use saying they were 'disadvantaged' or 'had a bad start in life'. Many other people have overcome these problems and led a law-abiding existence. I apologise for going on and on, but I feel VERY strongly that this country's limited resources would be better spent building more prisons, and putting more villains away for longer, and also in improving the lives of millions of old and suffering pensioners who need help and can't get it. I will step down from my soapbox now, and go and have some lovely toasted crumpets and butter!! (And a nice cup of tea)