Criminals should be given jail sentences of less than a year only as a “last resort” because they fail to stop re-offending, the justice secretary has told The Times.
David Gauke’s message to judges and magistrates is that only in exceptional circumstances should people be sent to prison for 12 months or less. He urges those passing sentences to consider alternatives to short jail terms, even when they are confronted with a persistent offender who has committed several crimes.
Mr Gauke said it was time to look at the effectiveness of short sentences in turning people away from a life of crime. Re-offending rates for those given short-term sentences of less than 12 months are worse than those for non-custodial sentences, he said.
David Gauke argued that re-offending rates were higher for short sentences
TIMES PHOTOGRAPHER RICHARD POHLE
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