I think the important part of Derek's post is that it was a cheap way of keeping people out of prison and a all too cheap way of dealing with young teenage punks rather than spending money to re-educate and train them and get them eventually to the stage where they could finish school with some qualifications/skills that they could take into the workplace.
There are youngsters who do need taking in hand very firmly because they are a one child crime spree if not dealt with.I hope we get a well thought out replacement system.
Personally I opt for a set of stocks on each and every housing estate myself..I can find some rotten veg and fruit from time to time..
