in place of it. Some statistics on that (how many in jail have received non-custodial sentences prior to being jailed) would be quite useful to see what works and what doesn't (and if it's relevant to some crimes vs others). In 2004, Jersey actually had a higher 'prison rate' (188/100,000 compared to 128/100,000) than Scotland. See the problem ? We should actually compare Scotland with places with a similar population - let's say the individual English regions - because sentencing, as we know, varies considerably from region to region. However, Scotland's crime rate is at a 30 year low, so we're doing something right ! Do you have a source for your figures ? I don't think things will have changed THAT much in 8 years, and according to the Home Office statistics in 2004, England and Wales had a rate of 141/100,000 (apcca.org/stats/5th Edition (2004).pdf), and Scotland was definitely not second - not even in Europe ! Sometimes that is indeed the sensible thing to do - especially where society (or a sufficiently large part of it) no longer sees such behaviour as being "wrong" - or not criminally so. Both adultery and homosexuality used to be criminal offences - now they are not. Do you say that they should have remained so, merely on the basis "once a crime, always a crime"? I think my main problem with this is that the incidents would simply cease to be recorded as crimes. Junkies desperate to get money to pay