WITH a prison population of around 72,000 and likely to rise to 93,000 on present trends over the next five years, David Blunkett is concerned.

So, to stem this raging flood of criminals from the courts to the bursting-at-the-seams prisons, the Home Secretary now wants to increase the number of fines and decrease the number of prison sentences.

Being that the majority of fines now imposed on criminals are never paid, this is tantamount to letting criminals go, scot free.

Of course, statistics will show that these criminals were caught -- and punished. It's a farce!

If the Government wants to reduce the prison population, the way to do it, or so it would seem to me, would be to make prisons less prisoner-friendly. Prisons without well-equipped gyms, sports facilities, or even TV, might perhaps deter some felons from re-offending.

Many criminals are criminals because they are illiterate, so perhaps some form of compulsory education should be introduced into our prisons. Compulsory courses in practical skills could well help some to "go straight" on their release.

These suggestions may not be the answer, but letting criminals go scot free, and pretending that they have been punished, is absolutely unacceptable. This is happening now, and will happen even more so if these proposals go through.

Fines are fine for criminals, because the majority just do not pay them. Little wonder young people are turning to crime at an alarming rate. There is simply no deterrent.

Brian Derbyshire

Ribchester Grove, Bolton