NIGHT after night when I read about the scum terrorising old people and creating havoc, I feel heartsick.

Why can't the powers-that-be make the Young Offenders' Institution into a proper punishment block, such as the "glass house", which was used by the Army in the last war?

After all, we are at war with this scum. Does one honestly believe these sentences will make them good citizens -- I think not.

If magistrates are bound by law to hand out these punishments, then, by God, get them changed. But then the House of Geriatrics would veto all before them.

Some drastic measures must be taken, not that it will get out of hand, it's already past that.

(Name and address supplied)