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Pub and travel bans proposed in sentencing overhaul Pub and travel bans proposed in sentencing overhaul
(about 3 hours later)
The justice secretary said the changes would widen the range of sentencing options available to the courtsThe justice secretary said the changes would widen the range of sentencing options available to the courts
People convicted of crimes in England and Wales could find themselves barred from going to pubs, concerts and sports matches under changes to sentencing rules being planned by the government. People convicted of crimes in England and Wales could find themselves barred from going to pubs and sport matches as part of changes to sentencing rules.
The reforms would allow courts imposing non-custodial terms to have the power to hand out driving and travel bans too, and order offenders to remain in specific areas. Courts imposing community sentences would have the power to hand out driving and travel bans under legislation expected to be introduced next month.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said criminals must have "their freedom restricted" in society if they are serving community sentences, but some have raised concerns about how the new measures will be imposed. The sentencing bill is likely to also include plans to restrict the use of short prison sentences to ease overcrowding, as well as introduce a scheme to release some well-behaved inmates early.
A recent review recommended fewer custodial sentences for less serious offences as a way of dealing with overcrowded prisons. This legislation will implement many of the recommendations made by former Conservative justice secretary David Gauke in his independent sentencing review published in May.
Courts are currently able to impose limited bans on people convicted of certain offences - for instance, someone found guilty of violence at football matches can be banned from all stadiums. Courts are currently able to impose limited bans on people convicted of certain offences, for example someone found guilty of violence at football matches can be banned from stadiums.
But the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) says it plans to introduce legislation to allow more restrictions to be imposed by judges and magistrates "as a form of punishment for any offence in any circumstance". But the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) wants judges and magistrates to be able to impose these punishments for a wider range of offences, meaning offenders could face additional penalties unrelated to their specific offence.
It means offenders could face additional penalties unrelated to their specific offence, with those who break the rules being taken back to court. Offenders released from prison who are supervised by the Probation Service could also face similar restrictions as well as more mandatory drug testing, even if they do not have a history of substance misuse.
Offenders released from prison who are supervised by the Probation Service could also face similar restrictions under the plans - as well as more mandatory drug testing, even if they do not have a history of misuse. The government said in May that it also intended for some prisoners in England and Wales to be eligible for release after serving a third of their sentence, as it responded to the recommendations of the independent Gauke review.
Former Old Bailey Criminal Judge Wendy Joseph KC told BBC Breakfast "a number of really good results" could come from the scheme, but that "it's not going to work unless its properly funded" and carefully thought through. But Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she had ruled out allowing the most serious offenders, including those jailed for terror offences, from being released early.
Gauke's early release recommendations were inspired by reforms to high-security, supermax prisons in the US state of Texas, where inmates can earn early release.
The model sees offenders progressing through three stages, with good behaviour rewarded with early release after completing a third of their sentence. But if this is not achieved, prisoners stay in jail.
Criminals with non-custodial terms could be be barred from places such as pubs under the proposals
On the plan for more restrictions on those facing non-custodial sentences, former Old Bailey Criminal Judge Wendy Joseph KC told the BBC there could be good results but only if it was properly funded and considered.
"The idea you can keep people out of pubs might be putting a lot of weight on people who run pubs," she said."The idea you can keep people out of pubs might be putting a lot of weight on people who run pubs," she said.
She added that if the scheme was introduced, "you've got to find a way of catching the people who breach the rules, and punish them". She added that "you've got to find a way of catching the people who breach the rules, and punish them".
Some in the hospitality sector voiced similar concerns about how to practically implement more widespread bans on going to pubs and gigs. Some in the hospitality sector voiced similar concerns about how to implement bans on going to pubs and gigs.
Michael Kill, head of the Night Time Industries Association, said ministers should work with the sector to ensure the scheme "does not unfairly burden venues that are already struggling to survive".Michael Kill, head of the Night Time Industries Association, said ministers should work with the sector to ensure the scheme "does not unfairly burden venues that are already struggling to survive".
"While we fully recognise the intent behind these measures, they cannot simply be imposed on a whim," he said, adding there must be sufficient resource, planning and co-operation between the industry and government. The MoJ said its sentencing reforms were aimed at deterring crime, making streets safer and ensuring prisons never ran out of places for dangerous offenders.
Criminals with non-custodial terms could be be barred from places such as pubs under the proposals The government began releasing thousands of inmates early soon after coming to power in 2024, saying they had inherited a prison system from the previous Conservative government that was on the brink of running out of spaces.
The MoJ said the plans were part of wider sentencing reforms aimed at deterring crime and ensuring prisons never ran out of places for dangerous offenders. The MoJ also plans to change probation conditions for offenders leaving prison, including restricting serious sexual and violent criminals to a specific area.
The government began releasing thousands of inmates early, soon after coming to power in 2024, saying they had inherited a prison system from the previous Conservative government that was on the brink of running out of spaces.
Mahmood said widening the range of sentencing options short of prison time was part of Labour's plan to cut crime and make streets safer.
"When criminals break society's rules, they must be punished," she said.
"Those serving their sentences in the community must have their freedom restricted there too."
The latest announcement comes in the wake of the MoJ giving details of its plan to place tighter restrictions on serious sexual and violent criminals when they are released from prison, forcing them stay in a specific area.
The government said limiting offenders to a geographical zone, policed by tougher monitoring and enhanced tagging, would give victims greater peace of mind.The government said limiting offenders to a geographical zone, policed by tougher monitoring and enhanced tagging, would give victims greater peace of mind.
Under reforms announced in May, some prisoners in England and Wales will now be eligible for release after serving a third of their sentence.
But this - as well as the early releases - have faced criticism for placing further pressure on the probation service and police forces.But this - as well as the early releases - have faced criticism for placing further pressure on the probation service and police forces.
The MoJ said new technology will free up the administrative burden on probation officers to increase supervision of the most dangerous offenders.The MoJ said new technology will free up the administrative burden on probation officers to increase supervision of the most dangerous offenders.
It says at least 1,300 new trainee probation officers will be recruited into the service this year, and that the service will receive a £700m funding boost by 2028.It says at least 1,300 new trainee probation officers will be recruited into the service this year, and that the service will receive a £700m funding boost by 2028.