Minister’s case for ending short jail terms attacked by Tory MP
PRISON IS not working for thousands of criminals, the Justice Secretary has declared, as he set out the case for scrapping short jail sentences.
David Gauke called yesterday for a more “imaginative” approach to crime and punishment, with greater focus on rehabilitation in the community.
He said there is a “very strong case” to abolish sentences of six months or less altogether, with some “closely defined exceptions”, such as for violent and sexual crimes.
Short custodial terms would be replaced by “robust” community orders under Mr Gauke’s blueprint.
His comments provide the clearest indication yet of the Government’s intention to move away from the Tory mantra of “prison works”.
In a speech in central London, the Cabinet Minister set out his vision for “smart justice”.
He said: “I know that there will be some who argue that the only problem with our criminal justice system is that it isn’t tough enough, that the answer to short sentences is longer sentences, that the best way of stopping recently released prisoners from reoffending is not to release them.
“And that the endless ratchet effect of higher sentences is giving the public what it wants.
“But I believe that those in positions of responsibility have a duty to show leadership.”
The Tories’ approach to sentencing has been analysed against the “prison works” doctrine since former Home Secretary Michael Howard used the phrase 25 years ago.
In response, Conservative MP Philip Davies claimed it was “frankly idiotic” to suggest abolishing prison sentences of six months or less.
The Shipley MP said: “In virtually every case the offender has been given community sentence after community sentence and they are only sent to prison because they have failed to stop their offending.”