Consensus on crime

First Nick Clegg, then Ken Clarke and now Ed Miliband have acknowledged that short-term prison sentences are not working and that viable alternatives are needed for tackling low-level crime ( Ed Miliband backs Clarke over shorter jail terms , 9 July). We have a real opportunity for cross-party consensus here that could deliver enormous benefits to state and society. With reoffending rates for those on short-term sentences topping 70% and the costs adding up to more than £10bn a year, there is no excuse for the kind of backward thinking that Jack Straw recently expressed. The criminal justice hustings in two weeks' time will be an important test for Labour. Will the other leadership candidates embrace a progressive approach to criminal justice as well or will they be too hidebound by the misguided dogma of New Labour? Roma Hooper Director, Make Justice Work