Prison (as it currently is) doesn't work, as proven by the number of repeat offenders.

We need to look at other ways of making transgressors repaying society for the trouble they cause. My personal view would be to make the prison experience so uncomfortable that they'd never, ever, want to go back. Sadly, (IMHO) the tree hugging, blue rinsed, lilly livered, yellow bellied, liberal thinkers would disagree with me. Shame that these people are in positions where they influence public policy.

It'll be interesting to see if this works or not: http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/prime-minister-david-cameron-visits-10858403

Given a chance, maybe some will 'go straight', but there will always be died in the wool criminals who will never change their ways.