I read with much emotion and ever-increasing indignation the brave and intimate feature by Jonathan Rayner concerning the serial failure of the ‘system’ to deal humanely or in any way appropriately with his son ‘Patrick’, particularly once the latter was introduced into the criminal process (see [2009] Gazette, 5 March, 14).

Jonathan has performed a considerable service by identifying in such a graphic way the shortcomings which bedevil an ever growing proportion of our prison population with disorders, inadequacies, addiction, or cocktails of all three.

We have an ever more tenuous hold on any claim to remain a civilised society, while treating so many of our prisoners as though they were some undeserving sub-species. It has to stop. As lawyers we have a duty to protest, and press for decency and common humanity in these areas.

Jonathan is to be commended for having steeled himself to write as he did. I wish him and ‘Patrick’ well.

Malcolm Fowler, Law Society Council member, Birmingham and District