Justice minister Chris Grayling has asked the Sentencing Council to review guidelines which make it difficult for judges to give out tougher sentences.

BBC: Steve Green, Tina Butcher, Jamie Butcher, Hollie Butcher

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat Sir Alan Beith, who chairs the justice committee, said it was difficult for the judges to know which sentences were the most effective.

BBC: Clarke warns against longer prison sentences

The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips of Worth Maltravers, has urged more use of community sentences, saying prison overcrowding made it difficult to rehabilitate inmates.

BBC: The prison population is approaching 80,000

Traditionally Brazil has a limited general pardon each Christmas for those nearing the end of their sentences, but public opposition makes it difficult for the president (in whose hands the power lies) to make the pardon an ample one.

ECONOMIST: In the house of horror

Despite his simple words and laconic sentences, he is one of the most difficult Russian authors to translate for the simple reason that so much remains hidden between his words.

ECONOMIST: Russian writers