New research has undermined assumptions about punishment, with the revelation that many offenders preferred a short prison term over a community sentence.

The criminal justice system needs to be overhauled through community-based innovation to overcome massive reoffending, a new report says.

A judge in the United States has triggered anger by rejecting a case against mercenary soldiers employed in Iraq by the company Blackwater. The news follows international criticism of the behaviour of mercenaries in the country.

Tony Blair has casued controversy by claiming that a spate of knife and gun murders in London is being caused by a distinctive section of the black community.