The CJA welcomes the Government’s announcement of an Independent Sentencing Review, to be led by former Conservative Lord Chancellor David Gauke. The review will be guided by the following three principles:
- Ensure sure prison sentences punish serious offenders and protect the public, and there is always space in prison for the most dangerous offenders.
- Look at what more can be done to encourage offenders to turn their backs on a life of crime, and keep the public safe by reducing reoffending.
- Explore tougher punishments outside of prison to make sure these sentences cut crime while making the best use of taxpayers’ money.
We hope the review will result in a decisive swing towards greater use of community sentencing, and away from custody and long sentences as a first resort. In our recent report, Time for change, CJA members highlighted the harms and destructive impact of detention, as well as the lack of resources for rehabilitation and support for people in prison. They want to see greater investment in community alternatives and the Probation Service.
The role of CJA members in delivering services will be crucial, as will drawing on the expertise and insights of those with lived experience of the system, to inform and enhance best practices. The CJA will continue to work with our members and the Government to foster collaboration on criminal justice reform, striving towards a system that is less punitive, more preventative, and fairer for all.
Hear from our members
- Prison Reform Trust: The sentencing review is a chance to reset the dial on decades of failure in penal policy
- Howard League for Penal Reform: A once-in-a-generation opportunity to reform sentencing policy
- Centre for Justice Innovation: The Sentencing Review: Putting the system on the road to recovery?
- Women in Prison: Women in Prison respond to Government Announcement of Sentencing Review
- Clinks: The sentencing review launch, blog from CEO Anne Fox
- Nacro: Our response to the government’s review of prison sentencing
- User Voice: User Voice welcomes sentencing review
- Working Chance: Working Chance response to government sentencing review
