Commenting on the independent sentencing review part 1 report, Bar Council Chair Barbara Mills KC said: “This echoes our concerns about how we got here and the scale of the problem. Successive governments’ aim to appear 'tough on crime' has led to increases in the length of sentences. While increasing demands have been made of the system, they have not been accompanied by an overarching plan nor investment. This has been compounded by long term underinvestment in the probation service and other alternatives to prison. We are now at a point of crisis, and we agree: change is needed now.
“Reform must go hand in hand with greater transparency. A long prison sentence is the easy option, but it is not always the right long-term solution for offenders nor society. Ultimately, our sentencing regime needs to reduce crime and increase public confidence and safety. It's clear radical thinking is required. We look forward to the reviews’ recommendations and hope the government will stop resorting to quick wins and invest to tackle crime long term.”
Read our submission to the review