Longer sentences falling short
A report is calling for a rethink on lengthy prison stretches
THE number of offenders being sentenced to more than 10 years behind bars has more than doubled in a decade. But increasingly long jail terms for serious crimes are “not working” for victims, prisoners, or society as a whole, according to a report. Ministry of Justice (MOJ) figures show that 1,188 people across England and Wales were given sentences of more than 10 years in 2019, more than twice the number (485) recorded in 2009.
Over the same period, there was a big drop in the number of people sent to prison for four years or less.
Figures for more recent years are available but are affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused major disruption to courts.
The data excludes life sentences and counts offences for which the heaviest penalty was imposed if a defendant was found guilty of more than one.
The Independent Commission into the Experience of Victims and Long-term Prisoners has called for an official review into sentencing for serious crimes.
Its research found that victims and their families felt “overlooked” and “neglected” by the criminal justice system, a problem it said would not be resolved by putting criminals away for longer.
The group, which was set up by the Prison Reform Trust, also found that prisoners themselves felt the prison system was failing to rehabilitate offenders and make them fit to reenter society.
Bishop James Jones, chair of the commission, said: “It is important that the length of a prison sentence reflects the seriousness of an offence. And punishment is an essential element of the sentencing.
“But just as important as the quantity of years is the quality of the time that is spent in prison.
“It is not just the length of the sentence but also the content of the sentence that fulfils the requirements of the law which insists that the point of prison is not just retribution but also the reduction of crime, deterrence, public protection, reparation and rehabilitation.
“Our work has shown that, set against this wider set of aims, sentencing has lost its way.”
As well as a rethink of sentencing, the group wants more support for crime victims, better education and training for prisoners, and improved access to restorative justice, which brings together perpetrators and victims of crime in an effort to repair the harm done.
The report also highlighted separate MOJ figures released last year showing that the number of people sentenced to custody for 20 years or more (excluding those subject to a life sentence) quadrupled from 31 in 2009 to 124 in 2019.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “Cutting crime and protecting the public is our top priority. That’s why we have introduced new laws to keep dangerous offenders behind bars for longer.
“We are also driving down reoffending with an investment of £200 million by 2025 to get offenders off drugs, in skills training and into work.
“Meanwhile our landmark Victims’ Bill will increase accountability, make clear their rights at every stage of the justice system and ensure criminals pay more to help victims recover.”