THE nobleman, old Etonian, former cavalry officer, and crook, Lord Brocket, serving five years for an insurance fraud, told the Appeal Court that life in gaol is too tough.

To someone used to butler service, I expect it is, but for the thieves and blackguards who have wrought misery on thousands, and occupy our prisons, it is the life of Riley at public expense.

But the prisoners who are there because of their thieving, muggings and stabbings (very popular these days, the knife) etc. get frustrated and bored and make life very difficult for prison officers.

So, to try to avoid potential riots and to remove the necessity of recruiting extra guards to contain any violent situation, the powers that be decided that each individual cell should have its own (Cable, Sky, BBC and ITV programmes) TV.

We've come a long way from bread and water! What next, I wonder?

C BAKEWELL, St James' Road, Blackburn.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.