> Bullies themselves need counselling on managing their own needs and emotions rather than punishment
I'd replace "rather than" with "in addition to".
I'd replace "rather than" with "in addition to".
Prison is a final measure when all other measures have failed. Even with prison, first time offenders of non-serious crimes usually do not do time or are diverted to other programs to help them avoid this fate. I just love how all the nerds here are going crazy over letting bullies off the hook initially to try to reform them -- it's as if they all want to bully the bullies.