The consultation on the government's proposals for reforming sentencing and improving the rehabilitation of offenders has now closed.

The 'Breaking the Cycle' Green Paper set out plans to break the destructive cycle of crime by making prisons places of hard work, bringing in more constructive community sentences, improving rehabilitation by opening it up to innovation from the private and third sectors, and continuing to lock up serious and violent offenders to protect the public.

The consultation, which was launched in December, attracted more than 1200 responses, including views from victims' groups, service providers, voluntary groups and organisations with an interest in reforming the justice system.

A government response to the consultation is expected later in the year.