Letter: Taking the cheaper option

OPINION: I read with interest about a troubled youth programme (Feb 3) that, far from being an outstanding success, has also been very costly, with estimates ranging from $171,000 to $630,000 per "graduate". A comparison was made with the cost of keeping an offender in jail ($100,000 annually).

The mischievous mind might consider that, rather than try to rehabilitate young offenders, the state should perhaps give them each $100,000 a year with the intention of reducing their need to commit crimes, many of which are done presumably to gain money that they are unable to obtain lawfully because they are "troubled" and unemployable.

That money would be taxable and, when spent, would go back into the community, arguably a somewhat cheaper option than prison and "preventive programmes".

ALLEN HEATH

Woburn

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