According to the foremost scholar of English criminal law, we should.

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/aug/14/thieves-not-jailed-law-expert#comments

I think I agree but with certain exceptions (targeting vulnerable victims, large scale fraud). I think I disagree with him on the matter of repeated offending - perhaps for someone who shows no sign of rehabilitation, community sentences aren't a deterrent and other options need to be considered.

Bottom line is short prison sentences don't curb re-offending.

What do you all think?