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Prison sentence 'disparity' warning | Prison sentence 'disparity' warning |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Some magistrates' courts in England and Wales are four times more likely to send offenders to prison than others, a penal reform charity has said. | Some magistrates' courts in England and Wales are four times more likely to send offenders to prison than others, a penal reform charity has said. |
In 2011, Northamptonshire courts gave custodial sentences in 6.5% of cases, compared with 1.5% in Warwickshire, research by the Howard League shows. | In 2011, Northamptonshire courts gave custodial sentences in 6.5% of cases, compared with 1.5% in Warwickshire, research by the Howard League shows. |
It also found that 58% of adults who completed a prison sentence of less than a year in 2010-11 reoffended. | |
Ministers say greater supervision and rehabilitation will tackle the problem. | Ministers say greater supervision and rehabilitation will tackle the problem. |
The Howard League, which is campaigning for more community sentences, obtained the sentencing data through a freedom of information request to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). | |
Magistrates' courts can impose a maximum six-month prison term for a single offence and up to 12 months in total for more than one. | Magistrates' courts can impose a maximum six-month prison term for a single offence and up to 12 months in total for more than one. |
They handed down almost 1.2 million sentences during 2011, of which more than 46,000 were custodial. | They handed down almost 1.2 million sentences during 2011, of which more than 46,000 were custodial. |
'Postcode lottery' | 'Postcode lottery' |
The data reveals that, overall, the proportion of custodial sentences dropped over 10 years by 1% - from 4.8% in 2001, to 3.8%, in 2011. | The data reveals that, overall, the proportion of custodial sentences dropped over 10 years by 1% - from 4.8% in 2001, to 3.8%, in 2011. |
But, while English magistrates' courts reduced the proportion of custodial sentences in that period, from 4.9% to 3.8%, Welsh courts showed a slight increase, from 4% to 4.3%. | But, while English magistrates' courts reduced the proportion of custodial sentences in that period, from 4.9% to 3.8%, Welsh courts showed a slight increase, from 4% to 4.3%. |
BBC legal affairs correspondent Clive Coleman said there was something of a postcode lottery in magistrates giving jail terms, with a striking disparity between sentencing rates in different parts of the country. | BBC legal affairs correspondent Clive Coleman said there was something of a postcode lottery in magistrates giving jail terms, with a striking disparity between sentencing rates in different parts of the country. |
The Howard League points out that only 36% of adults who began community orders between April 2010-March 2011 went on to reoffend - compared with 58% who went on to reoffend after being released from prison in the same period. | |
Howard League chief executive Frances Crook said it was "pleasing to see that magistrates' courts are sending fewer people to prison overall than they have in the past". | Howard League chief executive Frances Crook said it was "pleasing to see that magistrates' courts are sending fewer people to prison overall than they have in the past". |
"However, one cannot ignore the striking disparity in sentencing trends between different criminal justice areas," she added. | "However, one cannot ignore the striking disparity in sentencing trends between different criminal justice areas," she added. |
She said a short-term prison sentence was "a catastrophe for everyone - it does not help change the life of the person sentenced. | She said a short-term prison sentence was "a catastrophe for everyone - it does not help change the life of the person sentenced. |
"Indeed, it is likely to compound issues such as drug addiction and make them more likely to reoffend." | "Indeed, it is likely to compound issues such as drug addiction and make them more likely to reoffend." |
She said prison sentences given out by magistrates "cost the taxpayer a fortune and it does nothing to help victims, who get no recompense or easing of trauma". | |
She added: "Community sentences are much cheaper than custody and they deliver better results. | She added: "Community sentences are much cheaper than custody and they deliver better results. |
"They not only address a person's offending, but allow them to access other services they need, such as help with drink, drugs or mental health problems." | "They not only address a person's offending, but allow them to access other services they need, such as help with drink, drugs or mental health problems." |
In February, it was revealed that more than three-quarters of criminals sent to prison in England and Wales in 2011-2012 had at least one previous community sentence. | In February, it was revealed that more than three-quarters of criminals sent to prison in England and Wales in 2011-2012 had at least one previous community sentence. |
Campaign group the Centre for Crime Prevention - which obtained the data from the MoJ through a freedom of information request - said it highlighted what it sees as the failure of community penalties to stop reoffending. | Campaign group the Centre for Crime Prevention - which obtained the data from the MoJ through a freedom of information request - said it highlighted what it sees as the failure of community penalties to stop reoffending. |
In response, justice minister Jeremy Wright said it was "toughening up community sentences so every sentence contains a genuine punishment, including fines, unpaid work and strict curfews and exclusion zones". | In response, justice minister Jeremy Wright said it was "toughening up community sentences so every sentence contains a genuine punishment, including fines, unpaid work and strict curfews and exclusion zones". |
He said reoffending rates were "unacceptably high - and are currently highest among those sentenced to short prison sentences. | He said reoffending rates were "unacceptably high - and are currently highest among those sentenced to short prison sentences. |
"We are tackling this by changing the way we deal with offenders released after short sentences, so there is greater supervision and rehabilitation." | "We are tackling this by changing the way we deal with offenders released after short sentences, so there is greater supervision and rehabilitation." |
He added: "Prison does work." | He added: "Prison does work." |
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