SO, Home Secretary Charles Clarke proposes that community jails should be built near prisoners homes, and they should be given instant cash benefits on release.

I sincerely hope the Prime Minister asks the Home Secretary to retract his proposals.

The Home Secretary is suggesting these proposals in the hope that they, the offenders, will not re-offend again.

Come on, Prime Minister, get a strong grip on this crime-ridden country. We have had enough of softly-softly approaches to try and solve it.

Mr H Trainor

Glaisdale Close

Bolton