PUT a bunch of criminals in one place, and you're probably going to get a few problems.

Drug abuse, bullying, disorder, those are just a few of the problems. Our prison officers have an unenviable task and there have been improvements -- even the Howard League for Penal Reform, which issued a damning report on Lancaster Farms last week, admit that.

But, like the rest of the public sector, the prisons seem to be running just to stand still.

Forget trying to rehabilitate people, sod transforming dangerous crooks into useful members of society.

Like the hospitals who are happy if people don't breathe their last in the middle of an operation, and the schools whose main concern is making sure that kids can write their names and don't set fire to the building on their way home - it's often about just getting through the day for many public sector workers.

Unfortunately, in this accelerated, globalised world, it's easy to feel powerless, get your head down and not care.

All of this is in unhappy contrast with several cities in Italy. They have, with the support of their citizens, caused a quiet revolution.

The days of the rat-run and of chasing unsustainable economic growth are far behind them. The people have stood up and declared themselves 'slow cities'.

Quality of life is put before profits. 'Mc' companies have been barred from the town, because their working practices don't fit in.

Farmers and shopkeepers have switched to healthy organic products, and the people split their days between work and sipping fine Tuscan wines.

Sure, nobody is making as much money as they were before, but they get by, trade locally and enjoy a better quality of life.

Is it too much of a dream to imagine laid back Lancastrians take it easy and forgetting the uncompromising pursuit of profits?

The money mad brigade will find somewhere else to plunder. We can chill out and do what we need to do to create a truly civilised society and a healthy local economy.

By taking our foot off the accelerator and moving at a more leisurely pace, maybe then we can come up with more positive approaches to work, schooling, health and creating an inclusive community.

Don't believe those who say there's no other way.

(Pssst, the Punk of Pointer Roundabout 'ere. Listen, don't say I told ya, but the Punk has spotted some Monk geezer out havin' a slap-up ruby with a top Labour bod and some big cheese from the Police Authority. I'm sure the mutton balti was all they had to talk about 'cos the Monk like, well he's a man of the cloth isn't he? So he needs an impartial ear! Maybe the three happy bedfellows were just checking the songsheet that they all like to sing from. There in a group you know? ...status quo!)