Let prisoners sleep in shifts

RE YOUR editorial “Early release policy makes sense” (6 July). I dispute this.

Surely there are options that can intensify the action on inmates and half their accommodation needs? For example, group inmates into parties for pursuing work outcomes to the benefit of communities and interlace their activities into a shift 
system; where the inmates are only allowed in bed/cell for ten hours a day and work and rest in the remaining time. Thus a hot-bed system can reduce the accommodation required.

That is what our submariners do, and so do a lot of high-intensity civil projects. So instead of making the inmates different from us, make them the same; focus on work, share the facilities on offer.

Looking at the process as a work programme makes sense to me and would make more sense to the victims of crime.

Lindsay Craik, Crossford, Dunfermline