The comments by Lord Chief Justice Woolfe in passing judgement on Robert Thompson and Jon Venables illustrate everything that is wrong with the criminal justice system and why our streets are no longer safe.

He will not send them to a young offenders' institution because such a place will expose the two of them to bullying, sexual abuse and drugs. In all probability they will come out even worse than when they went in.

This raises the question what is the Government doing to change the regime of these institutions so that they turn out reformed criminals, rather than even worse thugs?

-Stuart Bower, Hawkhurst Road, Brighton