With prison overcrowding a global problem, perhaps it’s time for a global solution. (“Bailed”, DT, 15/5). While history is known for repeating itself and opportunity knocks more than once, I guess Australians would not be surprised about the overcrowding of prisons in the UK and the prospects that unproven solutions are being discounted faster than they are being thought up. The overwhelmed British Labor Prime Minister Keir Starmer is certainly thinking outside the box (if not the prison cell) by suggesting reducing all sentences by 60 per cent. But perhaps Australia will be the solution again to contributing to law and order on the UK streets. Reintroducing convict transportation, with prison farms across remote Australia might indeed be viable, with foreign nations paying a fortune and reducing our foreign debt. With more prisons, the silver lining would be that NSW magistrates won’t be getting away with bailing young crooks because of major prison overcrowding here. Alan Sexton, North Parramatta 17May2025