Serious criminals forfeit civil rights

THE real scandal of the case you report (News, March 21) of the woman bombarded by hate-mail from prison is not the loophole used of marking letters "legal" to avoid scrutiny. It is the failure to ban the prisoner from using the education centre's typewriter because that would "breach his human rights".

Politically correct lunacy has repeatedly corrupted judgment and common sense, nowhere more so than in this case.

A fine is a distinct punishment for breaking a law, but imprisonment is imposed in the interests of public protection in cases of severe or repeated criminal behaviour. Those who offend seriously enough to be excluded from society should forfeit privileges regarded as rights.

Anyone disputing the accuracy of "lunacy" and "corrupted judgment" might recall the compensation for loss of amenity awarded to prisoners released early to ease overcrowding.

Robert Dow, Tranent