MR Richards of Odham says (Times, August 1) that he is being forced to live with C-FAR, yet so far I have yet to hear him give a single example of what makes sharing his little corner of the countryside with his new neighbours so awful.
Have any crimes been committed in the area by any of the trainees? Has he been verbally abused in the street or something? I am aware of only one or two incidents concerning C-FAR, covering their time in Okehampton as well.
Please don't complain about them as neighbours whilst they are doing nothing to offend you. The issue of rehabilitation of offenders affects us all, and until (if ever) C-FAR causes problems to their neighbours than I shall continue to add my voice to the argument.
I notice Mr Richards makes no attempt to argue against my assertion that our economy cannot afford to lock all offenders up for long periods. He was right though to pick me up on some loose language in my last letter — in saying that C-FAR works. I did not mean to suggest that all their trainees never re-offend.
However, it is much more successful than prison in preventing further crime. Surely the aim here is stop further crime being committed. Why use a scheme that isn't very successful, when there are alternatives that do work better?
Our prisons have never been so full and yet still we see crimes like street robbery on the rise. Surely this confirms, that no matter how much some people may feel long sentences are deserved, they have no effect on preventing crime rising?
We all want to live in a world that is safer than it is now, but the situation needs rational thought, not over-simplified reaction.
Dave Goodwin
Hillfield
South Zeal