Victoria's crime rate has increased 13.4 % to June 2016. Yet our prisons are holding over 6,219 prisoners (as at June 2015), which is an 68.4% increase on the 2005 figures of 3,692. In 2012-2013, 44.1% of prisoners released from custody, returned to prison under sentence within two years. In the same period, 16.3% convicted offenders under Community Corrections Orders had committed further crimes within two years, and were returned to new Community Correction Orders. As at 30 June 2015, there were 12,373 offenders on Community Corrections Orders.

The cost to the Victorian community to house prisoners in prison is more than $297 a day (2014-2015) or more than $108,529 pa. The cost to the Victorian community for a convicted offender to be on a Community Corrections Order is $25.68 per day (2014-2015) or more than $9,373 pa. The Victorian imprisonment rate was 134 per 100,0000 of adult population as at 30 June 2015. The Victorian community-based corrections offending rate was 255.4 over 100,000 of adult population in the June quarter 2015.

I acknowledge offenders ought to be punished but remembering that they will eventually be released from prison and re-enter our communities, and if not rehabilitated inside prison, then we are all worse off. Much greater focus by our state government should be on increased Community Corrections Officers and community supervision and evidence-based alternative community programs.

Texas in the USA is an example of addressing the disaster and costly impact of tough law and order policies, and as a consequence the communities are becoming safer. Eric Holder, US AG- Speech to American Bar Association,  - still looking for new facts... "In recent years, no fewer than 17 states - supported by the Department, and led by governors and legislators of both parties - have directed funding away from prison construction and toward evidence-based programs and services, like treatment and supervision, that are designed to reduce recidivism.

In Kentucky, for example, new legislation has reserved prison beds for the most serious offenders and re-focused resources on community supervision and evidence-based alternative programs. As a result, the state is projected to reduce its prison population by more than 3,000 over the next 10 years, saving more than $400 million. Let me be clear: these measures have not compromised public safety.

In fact, many states have seen drops in recidivism rates at the same time their prison populations were declining. The policy changes that have led to these welcome results must be studied and emulated. While our federal prison system has continued to slowly expand, significant state-level reductions have led to three consecutive years of decline in America's overall prison population including, in 2012, the largest drop ever experienced in a single year.

Clearly, these strategies can work.  And it's past time for others to take notice.

Dianne Hadden, lawyer, Ballarat

I did not exactly choke on my weeties. Before l could pour them out, I inwardly gasped deeply in exclamation so violently that l chocked on the whole cereal box. Eureka - everyone has found it. This Eureka flag usage serial has been lingering for years and l thought it may have been protected by the register of copyrights and trademarks by now. With this protection, anyone can still use it providing they pay a royalty to the rightful owners, whom at this stage appear to have no copyright rights at all. I am aware of the King family involvement in 1854 then 1895 events.