With some prisoners across England and Wales being granted early release, we investigate the impact this is having on victims…

An encounter in the hospital waiting room

JANE TOWNSON OBE

From the isolated village where I live you can catch a minibus to the nearest supermarket, seven miles away. On the return journey it will drop you and your shopping off right outside your front door.

At St Mary’s Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, Co. Galway, the bodies of hundreds of infants born to unmarried mothers were dumped in a disused sewer. Now, thanks to the heroic efforts of one woman, they will be given a proper burial.

Maybe you were expecting this month to be more festive? But the sad truth is that dogs come to the end of their lives all year round and planning for the best end-of-life care is something we must all