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'Jail for a day' call in bid to cut reoffending | 'Jail for a day' call in bid to cut reoffending |
(35 minutes later) | |
Threatening offenders with "a day or two in prison" if they breach a community order would cut rates of re-offending, a think tank has said. | Threatening offenders with "a day or two in prison" if they breach a community order would cut rates of re-offending, a think tank has said. |
The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), set up by cabinet minister Iain Duncan Smith, urged the government to look to the US where the approach had worked. | The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), set up by cabinet minister Iain Duncan Smith, urged the government to look to the US where the approach had worked. |
A third of people given community sentences re-offended within a year, its report said. | A third of people given community sentences re-offended within a year, its report said. |
The Ministry of Justice said it was determined to reduce re-offending. | The Ministry of Justice said it was determined to reduce re-offending. |
Community sentences, where an offender is spared jail, range from 300 hours unpaid work to voluntary addiction treatment or having to make amends to a victim. | |
But the CSJ said the system was regarded by offenders as a "laughing stock". | |
Putting those who breach a community order in jail for a short time would restore credibility, it claimed. | |
'Breaking the rules' | 'Breaking the rules' |
The CSJ report found 17,066 people had their sentence in the community scrapped because they failed to comply with requirements. | The CSJ report found 17,066 people had their sentence in the community scrapped because they failed to comply with requirements. |
And it said almost 28,000 offenders given community orders had at least 15 previous cautions or convictions. | And it said almost 28,000 offenders given community orders had at least 15 previous cautions or convictions. |
"Many prolific offenders are refusing to take their punishment and rehabilitation seriously and are getting away with it," deputy policy director Edward Boyd said. | "Many prolific offenders are refusing to take their punishment and rehabilitation seriously and are getting away with it," deputy policy director Edward Boyd said. |
He pointed to the Swift and Certain programmes in the United States, which it claimed had cut reoffending "by up to 50 per cent". | He pointed to the Swift and Certain programmes in the United States, which it claimed had cut reoffending "by up to 50 per cent". |
In 20 American states, offenders who fail to turn up for community work can be seen by a judge that day and imprisoned for up to three days. | In 20 American states, offenders who fail to turn up for community work can be seen by a judge that day and imprisoned for up to three days. |
"This approach is slashing reoffending rates as offenders realise they can't get away with breaking the rules," Mr Boyd added. | "This approach is slashing reoffending rates as offenders realise they can't get away with breaking the rules," Mr Boyd added. |
Justice Minister Jeremy Wright said the report highlighted "unacceptably high" recidivism among offenders. | Justice Minister Jeremy Wright said the report highlighted "unacceptably high" recidivism among offenders. |
"We are making changes that will mean they will have to contain an element of punishment, such as a curfew or community service, when imposed on adult offenders," he said. | "We are making changes that will mean they will have to contain an element of punishment, such as a curfew or community service, when imposed on adult offenders," he said. |
"Anyone who refuses to complete their community sentence can expect to be hauled back in front of a judge and face further punishment." | "Anyone who refuses to complete their community sentence can expect to be hauled back in front of a judge and face further punishment." |
Community sentences can be given for crimes such as damaging property, benefit fraud and assault. | Community sentences can be given for crimes such as damaging property, benefit fraud and assault. |
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