More than half of us think sentences are just too lenient

Survey shows Scots hate ‘out of touch’ courts

MORE than half of Scots have condemned ‘soft-touch’ sentences in a survey by an SNP justice quango.

The research showed 56 per cent of respondents felt ‘sentencing in general was too lenient’.

More than a third, 35 per cent, lacked confidence in the fairness of the justice system, according to a poll of 1,000 adults.

The survey was published by the Scottish Sentencing Council (SSC), set up by the SNP to devise guidelines for judges.

Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: ‘The Scottish people have sent a powerful message that they do not agree with the SNP’s soft-touch justice – the SNP must listen.’

The SSC poll, conducted by Ipsos Mori, comes after ministers introduced a presumption against jail terms of up to a year.

SOFT TOUCH JUSTICE

The quango said it ‘undertook this work to broaden understanding of Scottish public attitudes towards sentencing in general, and to explore in more depth how the public views sentencing of particular offences’.

Some 55 per cent were ‘fairly confident’ the criminal justice system was fair to all; 8 per cent were very confident. But 23 per cent were not very confident, while 12 per cent were not at all confident.

The survey found awareness of sentencing was mixed, with 47 per cent feeling they knew a lot or a moderate amount, while 53 per cent said they knew a little or nothing at all about the process.

The vast majority of respondents (98 per cent) did have knowledge of the ‘non-custodial’ sentences that can be imposed in Scotland.

The single most important aspect of sentencing should be protecting the public, according to 50 per cent, with nearly a quarter (24 per cent) saying it was rehabilitation; 15 per cent said punishment was most important.

A majority of respondents, 54 per cent, felt pleading guilty should make no difference to the sentence given to an offender.

Lady Dorrian, Lord Justice Clerk and SSC chairman, said: ‘While it is positive that most people contacted felt they had a good knowledge of sentencing options, it is clear from the survey that there remains work to be done to demystify sentencing in Scotland.

‘This research gives the council some insight into how we can most effectively contribute to improving public understanding.

‘Part of that work is undoubtedly the development of clear, concise sentencing guidelines which help explain how sentencing works.’

Scottish Labour justice spokesman Pauline McNeill said: ‘Victims of crime can be deeply affected by what has happened to them for many years. That is why the public are keen to see that those who break the law are proportionately punished for their actions.’

A Scottish Government spokesman said it welcomed the research ‘as useful in understanding what people think about sentencing’.

He added the finding that more than 60 per cent ‘feel confident in how the criminal justice system deals with people who have committed offences is very welcome’.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: ‘This government established the SSC to strengthen the consistency and public understanding of the range of sentences imposed by the courts.

‘Our investment in prevention, enforcement and rehabilitation, both in prisons and in community justice, has contributed to Scotland’s reconviction rate falling to its lowest level in 20 years, helping to keep crime down and communities safe.’