So Oxford University scientists are to launch a £1.4m research project to examine whether young criminals, including murderers, behave better in prison if they are fed vitamins and other nutritional supplements (Oxford Mail, January 29).

I can see the long-term advantage of such research on those on short sentences, but murderers? That's immoral.

I still believe that a life sentence should mean just that, so why waste money on those who have no respect for life?

Of course, if you want to use murderers for drug trials, that's different - it would be more relevant than testing on animals.

We would also save money on police protection for research scientists from extremists.

MICHAEL HEAVEY Oxford Road Old Marston Oxford