22 October 2008
Sentences which both punish and rehabilitate have led to a dramatic fall in crime, Justice Minister David Hanson said today.
Mr Hanson was speaking as the government published its response to the Justice Select Committee report, Towards Effective Sentencing.
The Minister welcomed the committee's call for a meaningful and informed debate on sentencing.
However he challenged the committee's criticisms of the government's stance on indeterminate public protection sentences, Lord Carter's review of prisons, and short custodial sentences.
He said:
'Thanks to the policies of the government since 1997, crime has fallen dramatically. The government has overseen a cut in crime, rather than an increase - the only time this has happened since the war.
'We are unapologetic about our approach to law and order: it has made our communities safer and there is no greater priority for government. Prison sentences which punish and reform through education and training are a vital part of that strategy which has led to such a dramatic fall in crime.
'Prison is the right place for the most serious, violent and seriously persistent offenders and we will always ensure there are enough prison places for such offenders. Since 1997 the government has increased prison capacity by over 23,000 places, and we are committed to bringing capacity up to 96,000 by 2014.
'Protecting the public from known dangerous offenders is entirely appropriate, and public protection sentences make a significant contribution to this. The government has already recognised some of the committee's criticisms and has introduced reforms to minimise the number of indeterminate sentences with short tariffs.
'This is the right approach. It is the approach which will best protect the public. Lord Carter's report was a key contribution to the debate on the use of custody, and the government is grateful to him for his valuable work.
'However, we have also made very clear that prison is not the right answer for every offender: for many the most effective way of turning them away from crime is through a tough community sentence where they both payback their debt to society as a punishment but also have the opportunity to mend their ways.
'The reoffending rate following a short custodial sentence is too high. These short sentences can lead to issues with employment, housing and family relations and there is insufficient time to tackle the causes of the offender's behaviour. The reoffending rate following a community sentence is 37.9%.
'However the courts must be able to punish with imprisonment where the offence meets the custody threshold and where they consider, that only prison will suffice.'
The Criminal Justice Act 2003 sets out a clear framework designed to protect the public and to punish and rehabilitate offenders.
That is complemented by a great deal of work to improve the quality of both custodial and non-custodial sentences.
The government has made available to the courts a comprehensive range of effective sentences, both custodial and in the community.
Notes to editors
1. The Justice Select Committee report Towards Effective Sentencing was published on July 22, 2008.
2. The Justice Select Committee report looked at how the Criminal Justice Act 2003's provisions have been implemented, and its impact on sentencing.
3. The reoffending rate following a short custodial sentence is 59.7%.
4. For more information, please contact Tom Hodson in the Ministry of Justice press office on 0203 334 3527.