I WOULD like to add comment to Mr Gorton’s letter regarding scum and violence.

I agree in principle with most of what has been said.

But oh, what a wonderful gutless soft-centered society we are.

Our country is a disgrace within itself.

Why oh why are we still pandering to thugs, thieves, murderers and molesters?

Get rid of the do-good psychology, the attitude of “what a shame, he or she comes from a broken home, violent parents or they’re jobless.”

Never, ever is any of this an excuse for blatant drunken violence, robbery with violence or just plain hooliganism.

And no, I don’t agree with building more prisons – we the taxpayers in this country are being screwed enough.

Why should we pay heavily for these louts to live in luxury for 18 months?

This is how I see prison today.

OK, to the point: Bring back the death penalty for proven first degree murder, bring back corporal punishment and hard labour for the rest, and don’t tell me corporal punishment is barbaric – when I’m looking at photos of elderly people with their faces battered beyond recognition and children as young as two molested.

Also, bring back some form of national service.

I am 63 years old and I am sad to say that our once wonderful country is an utter shambles.

Come back Winston Churchill, come back Enoch Powell – two men with guts, conviction and vision.

D MARR, Blackburn.