Many Sydneysiders would be appalled by the bashing of four prison officers by an inmate in a low security prison in February (“Sickies on cards after guard walkout chaos”, DT,31/10). Distressing photographs of injuries certainly leave no doubt about the ferocity of the assault on a prison guard. But the graphic image on the front page of the newspaper also highlights that the victim of the attack was an older gentlemen, who proved to be no match for the youthful, stronger inmate. I suppose we should not be surprised that magistrates sometimes offer a little too much leniency for the incarcerated, as much as they do also see the argument put forward by lucky miscreants, who are availed bail with ridiculous reasoning for their behaviour. My sympathies lie with prison officers and with their union. There must be an urgent appeal by the DPP against such leniency. Accountability for criminality should no longer be diluted with effusive emotional claptrap, exaggerating the inmates’ claims of victimhood. Alan Sexton, North Parramatta 1 Nov 2025