SIR – The Howard League for Penal Reform says that magistrates in West Yorkshire are handing down too many custodial sentences (T&A, April 22). This despite the fact that only 3.6 per cent of those dealt with are sent to prison as against the national average of 3.8 per cent.
One wonders just what response the Howard League would get should it ask the general public whether the figure of 3.6 per cent is acceptable to them?
I very much suspect that the majority would prefer to see a higher – not lower – level of custodial sentences applied, especially bearing in mind the number of repeat offenders who seem to continue to escape detention.
Bob Watson, Springfield Road, Baildon
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