Short Sentences Briefing
This briefing explains why we believe short prison sentences should be reduced in favour of a smarter approach. The public and the evidence are clear and in agreement that short prison sentences are short-sighted. They are ineffective at tackling petty crime, and we can do better.
Currently 30,000 people each year go to prison on sentences of less than six months – that is half of all people sent to prison. The majority of people serving sentences of less than six months are in prison for non-violent offences. Many of these are linked to underlying problems such as poverty, addiction, homelessness and poor mental health.
Evidence shows that short prison sentences are less effective at reducing reoffending than community sentences. The government should introduce a presumption against the use of short custodial sentences of less than six months.
Community sentences must also be strengthened so that they command public confidence. They need to deal effectively with some of the underlying causes of persistent, petty offending, including drug or alcohol misuse and mental health.
However, there is no value in continuing with the failed policy of short sentences while we wait. As a start, we want to see the least harmful and least serious theft or drug offences dealt with differently.
