There is no doubt that high youth unemployment and homelessness is a worrying contributing factor.

Most of Tasmania's 514 inmates are men aged between 21 and 26 - 57 per cent are under 35, and 55 per cent of those sentenced were for crimes against people.

What does that say about the poor upbringing and mindset of some of Tasmania's future?

Prisoner advocate and barrister Greg Barns has suggested community correction orders as an alternative, rather than locking them up, only to reoffend and return to Risdon multiple times.

He said community corrections orders, like those used in Victoria, did put offenders under good pressure in terms of getting them to comply.

As an approach one was previously opposed to, it has merit for minor offences as the status quo seems to be failing miserably.

Instead of a six-month sentence, give them a two-year community corrections order, whereby they are subject to intense reprogramming, education and social development to rehabilitate these off-track men.

A short-term sentence is effectively a holiday whereby they don't have to lift a finger and nothing changes.

The orders seem to be a much better sentence alternative than creating a cycle of reoffending and repeat imprisonment, which does not seem to achieve anything except for more crime.

Transparency from the Attorney-General is part of fighting what is evidently a serious underlying problem among Tasmanian men, particularly youth.

The state government has committed $5.3 million over three years to several youth justice initiatives, including its Back On Track Program to help young adult offenders aged 18 to 25 within the youth justice system.

We as a community need to help these youths break the shackles or inter-generational crime and wasted life; and turn them into law-abiding citizens with purpose.

Youthful crims convicted of minor offences are not beyond repair and it is society's responsibility to support them as they make amends.

However, there are those guilty of heinous acts and thuggery that do not deserve the civil liberties that a democracy provides.