Prison sentences should not be more lenient for pregnant women

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Campaigns are being launched to improve conditions for pregnant women in prison (2016 Getty Images)

The appropriateness of a prison sentence should not be decided by the pregnancy of the felon. Far too many people of all ages and gender are sentenced to custodial sentences when a community punishment would be a far better solution and would allow the prisons to get on with what should be their main role, the rehabilitation of recidivist offenders.

There is a danger that if pregnant women were seen to be getting non-custodial sentences when women who were not pregnant were being incarcerated the old 18th-century custom of "pleading the belly" to avoid sentence might come back into fashion.

Martin Drew

It is beneficial to live in the eurozone

Time and again I read in the pages of The Independent, not least in today’s editorial, that the UK is lucky not to have joined the euro. And, yes, I have read all the economists declaring it a failed project. Yet, as you point out in the very same editorial, economists are often wrong.

To normal people these economists’ discussions have as much relevance as the Higgs boson. From the user's point of view the euro is great, and Brits don't get to benefit from it. I live in the eurozone and find that the common currency is an enormous help when travelling. No more need for currency exchange with disadvantageous rates, no more guessing at the equivalent price of things in shops and no more wads of left-over currency.

Internet shopping is even better: I happily buy from sites all over Europe just as conveniently, and in the same currency, as home.

And there are no bank charges, by law, for international transfers within the eurozone, which was always a source of irritation, and remains so where sterling is concerned.

Richard Francis
France

Refugees should stay in their first host country

The heartbreaking picture on your first page epitomises the enormity of the refugee crisis engulfing Europe. It is undeniable that Europe has been enormously enriched by similar men and women who sought sanctuary in the aftermath of world wars. However, the refugee calamity is global in nature. It therefore needs a global response.

It taps on our collective consciousness, wisdom and common humanity to do more. We should not be mere bystanders watching the worst humanitarian crisis of our time unfolding before our eyes. However, politicians must remember accommodating millions would inevitably unleash drastic political, religious, cultural, economic and social repercussions.

Far right, anti-Muslim parties are gaining foothold in Europe, posing the greatest threat to community cohesion. Why not forge long term, sustainable solutions to settle refugees in their first hosting countries like Jordan and Lebanon? This would save Europe billions of pounds and restore its rich cultural and religious mosaic.

King Abdullah of Jordan was right to have sounded such global alarms. It is time to heed them.

Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob
London

Alex Salmond is playing with time in Westminter

At times it must be a thankless task for a teacher trying to keep an unruly class of children under control.

But hang on, this is not a teacher, it’s John Bercow, the Speaker of the House of Commons, and the “naughty schoolboy” being spoken to is Alex Salmond, caught playing about with the hair of one of his fellow MPs.

I know the SNP said they would play a constructive part in Westminister, but isn’t Mr Salmond taking “play” a little too literally?

Keith Howell
West Linton

Where do we draw the line with psychoactive substances

Rap (fashion disguised as music, generally speaking) tends to be misogynistic, cliché-ridden, teenage-angst-filled rhyme read or shouted-out over plagiarised tunes. While its exponents vociferously claim it to be of “real substance”, on most occasions when I hear it, I suffer feelings of annoyance, anxiety and an overarching sense of depression.

Would it be too much to hope that, given these adverse effects, it might now be classified as a “psychoactive substance” and thus fall under the remit of this new ban… at least in public places?

Julian Self
Wolverton

The absurdity of PMQs is brought to life

For the third day in a succession I found myself laughing hysterically out loud at Tom Peck’s political sketch. The absurdity of PMQ's being brought to life.

James Shepherd
Woodhall Spa

Muirfield Golf Club need to grow up

The supposedly adult men‎ at Muirfield Golf Club don't like being told what to do by the media?

So they try to prove their manhood by continuing to demonstrate their fear of women? Silly little boys!

‎The wonder is that any sane woman would want to join them!

Sara Neill
Tunbridge Wells