Michael Caine is totally correct in his call for more disaffected youngsters to receive alternative help rather than prison (Daily Mail, September 14). Throwing young low-level, non-violent offenders in prison on short-term sentences simply gives them yet another push up the crime career ladder while costing the taxpayer thousands of pounds. Putting a young offender in custody for 12 months costs more than it would to send them to Eton for a year whilst also allowing them to mix with hardened criminals. We have to think twice about what is the most effective way of tackling crime.