Agree that short term sentences are pointless, no rehabilitation takes place. By the time you get inducted, showered and a shave your released. For Dean Saunders though I think a spell inside would do him a lot of good. He will come out a changed person and I dont think he will re-offend again. If he gets a reduced sentence at his appeal or its commuted to a suspended sentence then the likelihood of him re-offending becomes higher as he will believe hes got away with one.
For other repeat offenders, jailing them isnt the answer. Most of them want to go back inside to get a break from the missus. Giving them other things such as community service, might work but if they are determined to go to jail then they can refuse the work.
For first offenders that plead guilty to minor crimes and have shown remorse, then I believe its better to give them a chance on community service, like Spain and the 2 year thing, if the crime isnt worthy of 2 years jail time then give them something else as an alternative.