‘Scrapping short sentences will reduce £18bn reoffending cost’

TENS of thousands of crimes a year will be prevented by scrapping short sentences for most offenders, reducing the annual £18 billion cost of reoffending, the Justice Secretary said today.

David Gauke said there would be 32,000 fewer offences a year if those sent to jail for six months or less were given community punishments instead.

He said this was because most on short sentences had problems, such as drug, alcohol or mental health issues, that were made worse by jail, thus increasing their chances of reoffending. The average time they spent behind bars — only six weeks — was also too short for any meaningful rehabilitation.

Mr Gauke said the answer is “fearless” reform involving either a bar on short sentences of six months or under, or a presumption against using sentences of 12 months or less. He unveiled statistics from new research, showing:

⬤ 64 per cent of inmates serving six months or less have a drug problem, and 60 per cent have no stable place to live once released.

⬤ 72 per cent “lack the skills and motivation to get or hold down a job” — double those on community punishments.

⬤ £9.8 billion of the £18.1 billion annual cost of reoffending is caused by theft, much of it driven by substance abuse.

Mr Gauke said: “I don’t want to see softer justice; I want to deliver smarter justice.” His speech appears likely to be his last as Justice Secretary after his declaration that he will not serve in a government prepared to pursue a nodeal Brexit. The decision on reform will therefore be left to his successor.

Mr Gauke said courts should still be allowed to give short sentences to those convicted of a physical or sexual attack and blade offenders.