Only thing is I dont want to welcome them. I'm actually ok with the banning orders but what I do want is consistency and that would be unfair on those as in Nicksar's example of someone who has genuinely been rehabilitated. Unfortunately I think most of the time rehabilitation is a myth and they just learn new tricks and have no intention of bettering themselves or society.
Funnily enough Rob I've been digging deep into my memory and recall another lad I used to play football with,he went to prison for a shortish sentence and when he came out he did a degree and had a long career as a probation officer.
Also in the last job I had prior to retirement my manager (who was a decent bloke,from Leamington as it happens) surprised me once by telling me he had been to prison for robbing a post office.
Obviously a very small sample but a lot of people can go on to be decent citizens after serving time in prison.
Hopefully some of the young Neds that have been nicked will learn the error of their ways after serving a bit of time in prison.