Law Society comments on the introduction of the Sentencing Bill

Law Society of England and Wales vice president Mark Evans said:

“The government is right to take radical action to avoid prisons running out of space and to focus on alternatives to the use of custody, which is an expensive and often counterproductive form of punishment.” 

“We welcome the Bill taking our views into account including ensuring custodial sentences under 12 months are only used in exceptional circumstances. The data shows that short prison sentences are ineffective at stopping re-offending.

“However, for the new legislation to be effective there must be investment across the criminal justice system. All parts of this vital public service are interconnected and failure to invest in one part will be detrimental to the whole.”