-
‘It is my right to work beyond retirement age - but France says no’
Age discrimination in the workplace is real but hidden, says (soon to be forcibly retired) English teacher Nick Inman
-
‘Ponds in rural France are beautifully maintained but no longer used’
Columnist Peter Wyeth laments that these large, impressive sites, once the fresh-aired setting for family picnics, barbecues and fun, now fail to attract people
-
‘New French speeding rule encourages aggressive drivers’
The change has enabled reckless motorists to drive even more wildly without fear of losing points, argues columnist Samantha David
Prison needs alternatives
France is not “screaming out for more jails” (connexionfrance.com, April). Yes, overcrowding is a major problem but simply building more prisons will not turn the situation around.
We should look at other ways of reducing the prison population such as electronic tagging etc, which may well be better for rehabilitation and which could save money. Keeping people in prison is costly both for taxpayer and prisoners’ families.
Prison often has no effect on future behaviour and the many prisoners serving short sentences do not benefit from rehabilitation programmes but vastly increase the number of prisoners.
Connexion readers could make a positive contribution by thinking of becoming prison visitors. Many prisoners speak English as a first or second language, and some not a word of French.
Contact the probation and rehabilitation service (SPIP) of your local prison or the national prison visitors association (anvp.org).
Paul UNDERWOOD, Somme
