Last week's report of Council of Europe Commission on Prevention of Torture sets out, again, the problems with the current prison system. There are now years of domestic and international reports deploring the current regime and suggesting improvements.

Any politician who is commited to reducing crime (as we all purport to be) needs to take heed of the reports suggestions and critically analyse our prison system.

Examining who we imprison, and why, what happens to citizens deprived of their liberty, and how they are prepared, or not, for release, is an integral part of building safer communities.