But instead of standing up for reason, our government is handing education over to the world of faith.

Nothing keeps people together like the exalted conviction that they alone are to be spared that eternal anguish of hell fire to which everyone else will be condemned.

But instead of standing up for reason, our government is handing education over to the world of faith.

Thresholds of pain, indignity and incapacity are entirely personal.

So what really works? Treatments in jail do some good, but it's mostly too late: finding a family and a job or just growing older make most prisoners eventually give up crime.

One in six people suffer depression or a chronic anxiety disorder. These are not the worried well but those in severe mental pain with conditions crippling enough to prevent them living normal lives.

But the single overwhelming reason why jails are bursting is longer sentences given for more crimes.