I'd be interested to know whether you would vote for the party who proposed the huge tax increase that would be required to introduce national service for young offenders. Especially, as with most policies that work in the short term it could be rolled out to all under 18s of a certain age to instil "Good moral discipline". I often wonder whether the people who genuinely believe policies such as reintroduction of national service should happen, would speak out in favour of the tax increases everyone would need to pay to afford such a policy. Of course, if it is the case that the majority of youth crime is created by youths from lower income, or entirely benefit supported families, they wouldn't be paying for the service designed to 'instil good moral discipline' anyway so in a sense they would be achieving additional benefits paid for by those who do contribute to society. Policies will only work if they are genuinely supported by the sectors of society, otherwise it results in a society of complainers with only the few willing to support a change, meaning the moral zeitgeist will remain so. As for Tom's initial point, the last thing a stab victim (whether part of a gang, an innocent etc) would want would have the psychological trauma inflicted upon them again. The only person it would 'shock into change' would be the victim, with their further mental harm.