UK: ‘Prison isn’t working’

Justice secretary says ‘robust community order regime’ would be better alternative.

The justice secretary has said he wants to end short prison sentences because they do not work and hopes that technology and more community sentences will provide better alternatives to jail.

In a break with the “prison works” mantra of past Conservative governments, David Gauke outlined the plans that reformers hope will be more than just talk.

Gauke used a central London speech to point out that Britain jailed more people compared with other European countries and that those sentenced to short terms in prison had high reoffending rates.

“In the last five years, just over a quarter of a million custodial sentences have been given to offenders for six months or less; over 300,000 sentences were for 12 months or less. But nearly two-thirds of those offenders go on to commit a further crime within a year of being released.“

“Why would we spend taxpayers’ money doing what we know doesn’t work, and indeed, makes us less safe?”

He cited the example of female shoplifters jailed for short terms, which often blights their life chances on release. “For women, going into custody often causes huge disruption to the lives of their families, especially dependent children, increasing the risk [the children] will also fall into offending.”

Gauke said tough community orders should be backed up by tagging and could mandate treatment for underlying causes of offending such as alcohol, drugs or mental health issues. Five pilot schemes have been set up.

“Our research shows that nearly 60% of recent offenders who engaged with a community-based alcohol programme did not go on to reoffend in the two years following treatment. Offenders given a community sentence including mental health treatment have also shown to be significantly less likely to reoffend.”

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