Build the jails and sod the cost. Far too soft in this country - no wonder it's gone to the dogs.

Hmmm I think depending on the crime and the criminal's past history, Community Service could be effective to some degree. As in if someone has been ordered it for anti-social behaviour, affray or a similar ilk (particularly if it's kids and it's their first or second crime for example), then it may help them to view things with a different perspective, depending on what the service is.

But for some criminals it would be pointless. I wouldn't imagine Charles Bronson or the Krays would have changed their preference for mass murder if they'd been ordered to paint a playground or clean up a park.

In 2008 not one of 10,000 burglars received the max sentence  

Make them work all day and tag them at night, so that they can't go out and break into houses.

I have a friend who is supposed to supervise community service but says it's so PC driven that anything that might hurt the little darlings or safety jackets that bring attention to the fact that they are on community service means very little is actually done.  A large majority of them go sick and the flimsiest of excuses plus sicknote is accepted.  Those that do turn up end up sitting around for hours while waiting for those that won't turn up.  Usually there is actually very little being done.

The whole process like much of the judiciary in this country needs a damn good overhaul

That's interesting Pengy.
I think that's pretty much what the person on the radio was implying - not only that it has little impact on the offender, but that many manipulate it and it is ultimately not effective.

I agree 

It all seems to boil down to cost nowadays with the Goverment. New prisons cost money, and they have to feed them and pamper for their needs with TVs and Games consoles etc. They run their empires from inside via mobile phones etc; Its a sad state of affairs and i can only see it getting worse. MPs look to their own needs nowadays and forget what the folk want who voted for them.