Today (16 September), the Justice Secretary has set out the Government’s plans to radically overhaul sentencing, crack down on crime and protect the public by ensuring dangerous criminals are kept in prison for longer.

The White Paper, ‘A Smarter Approach to Sentencing’ delivers on the Conservative Party manifesto commitment to reform the sentencing and release framework in England and Wales. Under the proposals, prisoners serving four to seven years would no longer be eligible for release half-way through their sentences and would instead have to serve two thirds. Prisoners convicted of terrorism offences or who pose a wide danger to the public would not be automatically released, and community punishments, including 20 hour a day curfews and satellite monitoring for convicted burglars are among other measures.

Rt Hon Sir David Evennett, MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford and Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party, has express his strong support for the Government’s plans. He commented: “This Government’s top priority is protecting the public. These sensible proposals announced today will see the most serious offenders serving the time in prison they deserve, with new community interventions and changes to the rules around criminal records to help with rehabilitation and reduce reoffending.”

The White Paper can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-smarter-approach-to-sentencing