Dangerous criminals will be kept in prison for longer under new proposals unveiled by ministers
- Measures are an attempt to tackle public concerns that sentencing is too soft
- Instead of being released halfway through they will have to serve two-thirds
- If Parliament agrees, the measures will come into force on April 1 this year
Violent criminals and sex attackers will spend more time in jail under proposals unveiled by ministers yesterday.
Instead of the most serious offenders being released halfway through their prison sentences, they will have to serve two-thirds.
Under Justice Secretary Robert Buckland’s plans, those convicted of crimes such as manslaughter, rape, robbery or grievous bodily harm who receive terms of more than seven years will be locked up for longer.
Violent criminals and sex attackers will spend more time in jail under proposals unveiled by ministers yesterday
The measures are an attempt to tackle public concerns that sentencing is too soft, with criminals given the freedom to reoffend.
But there is concern ministers have backtracked on the goal of increasing sentences for those handed at least four years in prison.
The measures are an attempt to tackle public concerns that sentencing is too soft, with criminals given the freedom to reoffend
Ministry of Justice sources said this was because legislation would need to be introduced to keep criminals given four-year sentences behind bars for longer before being allowed out on licence.
For sentences of seven years, ministers can bring in changes more easily. If Parliament agrees, the measures will come into force on April 1.
The changes will apply only to offenders who are sentenced after that date.