The argument that prison is the answer to tackling re-offending is flawed (Daily Express, Opinion, 24 November).  Most offenders who serve short prison sentences re-offend once they are released.  This revolving door between prison and the community is a scandalous waste of taxpayers’ money.  Intensive alternatives to custody are not only tough, but they are also far more effective when it comes to cutting re-offending.  If we really want to cut crime, we need to accept that locking people behind bars for a few months, simply doesn’t work.