Reoffending rates are a disgrace

As investigations go, it wasn’t the toughest the police have ever had to undertake. Catching the appalling miscreants who burgled a dementia sufferer while he slept did not require the deduction abilities of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson.

That’s because the dozy duo, John Shipman and Gary Stow, were seen on CCTV and the cops knew them. It might have been due to the 165 previous offences they had accumulated.

So off they go to prison for three years, in all likelihood far less than that, maybe around two thirds.

That’s around two years of not having to worry about getting plastering work in the case of Shipman, money troubles or any of the other everyday hassles that concern law-abiding people. Just a bit of stir, that’s all.

They’ve been there before and can continue their behaviour on their release while hoping not to get caught next time. Though on previous experience, the prospects of that are not good for these dim two. Scarlet Pimpernels they are not.

Seriously, though, their case and record is another indication of the abject failure of our judicial and penal system. Short sharp shocks, longer sentences, heavy fines, community service: none seem to work, and allow people like Shipman and Stow’s poor victims to remain at the mercy of habitual criminals.

We’re sure there are shining examples of rehabilitation but these appear to be far outweighed by people who seem to have no intention or incentive to change their ways. In fact many get worse, with their criminal behaviour actually becoming deeper ingrained while they are in prison.

Reoffending rates in this country are a national disgrace. We have nearly 90,000 people locked up and many will return once they’ve done their time.

Depressingly, there does not appear to be any strategy or ideas to tackle this – let alone an actual plan.