But do be careful if you go too fast in your car while harming no-one........you will be imprisoned for what you might have done, not what you actually did do.

The whole country is on it's head, or do I mean off it??

Pu Li, Phuket, Thailand

So I can be locked up for smoking a joint but not for breaking and entering. What a backwards country we live in.

Neelkumar Patel, Peterborough,

Once the law has given up on dealing with criminals once and for all the deterrence won't come from the state but the community. Just give it time.

Jack, Llandudno, Wales

Sigh handing the country over to the filth yet again.
I think its time this stupid goverment which frankly has sold this country out should be removed and high time the people of this country decide whats best for our own nation. Oh thats right decent people dont have any rights anymore do they!

john, wrexham, uk

I am assuming that none of the high and mighty people on this panel have ever been burgled. The effect on the victims can be devastating. This is a serious and despicable crime, which should be punished more, not less, harshly, especially as a small number of people commit many offences.

David Leslie, Perth, Scotland

Your all nuts on 'the panel'.....Is there a victim in all of this ??...aaaahhh silly me, just the criminal...poor sap. sob,sob......

Mr Tim, San Marcos, U S of A

Hmmm, why do people who commit(may just be an error) a crime against the state, for example tax fraud, vat crimes, unpaid fine etc. seem to get the harshest sentences and straight to jail, surely jail should be used for those who put the populace at risk not the coffers of the state?

alan, london,

Why not just save prison for those commiting motoring offences and not paying council tax?

Kate, Newcastle, England

What poisonous rubbish. The fact is that most burglars are career criminals who have calmly decided that crime is preferable to honest work. What is mostly needed to change their minds is two things: a high chance of being caught, and the prospect of severe punishment when they are caught.

Tom Welsh, Basingstoke,

'The risk of an offender committing further, non-serious offences should not automatically lead to jail, the paper added'

Why not decriminalise burglary and other minor offences completely? That seems to be the thrust of this imbecilic panel.

Bill Q, Derby,

In America you can be shot dead for entering a persons property, which is fine by me....one less 'door knob' for society to have to deal with. Keep making excuses for these people and we're all going to drown in their filth !

PaulR, Paris,

What world do these idiots on the Panel live in?
Next they will be recommending holidays in the Caribbean for these offenders.With views like theirs, one has to wonder who are the most dangerous to society-Panel Members or the criminals?

Iain Chapman, Marciac, France

Ok so you tell them they can't go out at night and rob - so they will just do it in the daytime. Do these stupid do gooders on these advisory panels have a clue? Thinking that a drug crazy thieving pillocks are going to stop until they are locked away.
Can't we export them somewhere ..Might work??

Keith, Dartmouth, UK

hope these advisory panel members get burgled and then maybe they might change their views. Most burglars have drug problems and they only stop when they are locked up and get some type of treatment. Unfortunately this treatment is usually in prison, until that changes, prison is the only answer.

J Singh, derby,

They steal things that they have not earned. 2 options.

1: Locked up in prison. Punishment and keeping them out of society
2: Name and Shame campain in thier local community for at least 6 months.
There has to be justice for the victims. Yes revenge is what I am talking about. Why Not?

Alan, Sheffield, England

Rubbish, if you commit crime you should go to prison. The government want to use prison less to save money.One thing for sure if a burglar is in prison he can't commit crime

martin, reading, uk

Oh dear, the liberals are on the move again!

Phill, The Wirral, England