Longer prison terms for sex crimes and violence
SEX offenders and violent criminals will serve at least two thirds of jail terms rather than half under tough new sentencing reforms.
There will also be an extension of whole life orders to cover child killers and those aged between 18 and 20 convicted of terrorism that causes mass casualties.
Other serious adult offenders would have to serve more time behind bars before they can be assessed for release, pledged Justice Secretary Robert Buckland.
This could lead to around 2,400 prisoners serving longer jail terms by 2028 in Government plans to create 10,000 more prison places.
Mr Buckland said the proposed changes marked the end of “complex and confusing” laws.
He said the reforms would ensure the most serious violent and sexual offenders “get the prison time they deserve”. He added: “We need a new approach.
“It is crucial sexual and violent offenders serve as much of their sentence behind bars. The reforms will reassure that the system will keep dangerous criminals off our streets for as long as possible.”
Reforms also aim to help former offenders to find work by reducing the time they have to declare past crimes to employers.
“We can deliver a really balanced system of sentencing that means we protect the public from serious offenders but also offer meaningful rehabilitation for those who want to take that opportunity,” added Mr Buckland.
Burglars and robbers face being tagged with GPS trackers to allow authorities to monitor them around the clock.
The technology will be used by probation officers to supervise those offenders released after serving part of their sentences.
The plan also aims to divert offenders who do not pose a risk to the public into programmes to treat addictions.
But Peter Dawson, director of the Prison Reform Trust, dismissed most of the plans as a “tired reheat” of previous Governments’ failed policies. He said they would guarantee overcrowded prisons and have little impact on crime.