Menu
14/08/2013
'Don't Jail Thieves And Fraudsters', Says UK Legal Expert
Thieves and fraudsters should not be jailed, according to a leading UK legal expert.
The Howard League for Penal Reform released a pamphlet today entitled 'What if imprisonment were abolished for property offences?' by one of Britain’s leading criminal lawyers, Professor Andrew Ashworth.
Professor Ashworth says prison should only be used for crimes of a "violent, threatening or sexual nature".
He said the use of prisons is disproportionate for crimes that don't involve violence, threats or sexual assault, such as theft, handling of stolen goods, criminal damage and fraud.
Prof Ashworth said victims of property crimes should be compensated for their losses, meaning perpetrators should be made to re-balance the harm they cause.
He said many victims would be better off with this approach, as they are less likely to receive compensation from someone in prison with little or no income.
The pamphlet makes the point that 20,000 people go to prison each year for theft or handling stolen goods (more than for any other crime), 5,000 for fraud and 1,000 for criminal damage.
It says giving people who commit these crimes financial penalties to compensate victims would reduce the sentenced male prison population by 8% and the female prison population by 21%.
This, it argues, would save approximately £230m each year.
Professor Ashworth said: "We should be reserving our most severe form of punishment for our most serious types of offending. Should someone be sent to prison and deprived of their liberty for an offence that involves no violence, no threats and no sexual assault? Instead, the priority should be to deal with such offences in the community, giving precedence to compensation or reparation for the victim and, where the offence is sufficiently serious, imposing a community sentence."
Frances Crook, Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: "When it comes to crimes like theft and fraud, victims are losing out from a justice system that too often prioritises putting the perpetrator behind bars rather than returning people’s stolen property and providing much needed compensation. This can be achieved through fines and compensation orders, as well as community sentences, which produce a much lower rate of reoffending than prison at a fraction of the cost. At a time when all areas of public finance are stretched, threatening schools, hospitals and the police, it’s time for our politicians to make some tough decisions on exactly who should be sent to prison."
(IT/CD)
The Howard League for Penal Reform released a pamphlet today entitled 'What if imprisonment were abolished for property offences?' by one of Britain’s leading criminal lawyers, Professor Andrew Ashworth.
Professor Ashworth says prison should only be used for crimes of a "violent, threatening or sexual nature".
He said the use of prisons is disproportionate for crimes that don't involve violence, threats or sexual assault, such as theft, handling of stolen goods, criminal damage and fraud.
Prof Ashworth said victims of property crimes should be compensated for their losses, meaning perpetrators should be made to re-balance the harm they cause.
He said many victims would be better off with this approach, as they are less likely to receive compensation from someone in prison with little or no income.
The pamphlet makes the point that 20,000 people go to prison each year for theft or handling stolen goods (more than for any other crime), 5,000 for fraud and 1,000 for criminal damage.
It says giving people who commit these crimes financial penalties to compensate victims would reduce the sentenced male prison population by 8% and the female prison population by 21%.
This, it argues, would save approximately £230m each year.
Professor Ashworth said: "We should be reserving our most severe form of punishment for our most serious types of offending. Should someone be sent to prison and deprived of their liberty for an offence that involves no violence, no threats and no sexual assault? Instead, the priority should be to deal with such offences in the community, giving precedence to compensation or reparation for the victim and, where the offence is sufficiently serious, imposing a community sentence."
Frances Crook, Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: "When it comes to crimes like theft and fraud, victims are losing out from a justice system that too often prioritises putting the perpetrator behind bars rather than returning people’s stolen property and providing much needed compensation. This can be achieved through fines and compensation orders, as well as community sentences, which produce a much lower rate of reoffending than prison at a fraction of the cost. At a time when all areas of public finance are stretched, threatening schools, hospitals and the police, it’s time for our politicians to make some tough decisions on exactly who should be sent to prison."
(IT/CD)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 August 2006
Prison officers suspended over corruption claims
Fourteen prison officers have been suspended from HMP Pentonville following allegations of corruption. A spokesperson for the Prison Service confirmed that the prison officers had been suspended over allegations which concerned trafficking and "inappropriate relations" with prisoners.
Prison officers suspended over corruption claims
Fourteen prison officers have been suspended from HMP Pentonville following allegations of corruption. A spokesperson for the Prison Service confirmed that the prison officers had been suspended over allegations which concerned trafficking and "inappropriate relations" with prisoners.
03 April 2006
Prisons face overcrowding crisis
Prisons in England and Wales are under "enormous pressure" and are facing a "looming overcrowding crisis", according to a charity report. The Prison Reform Trust reported that prison numbers have crept up again since Christmas rising to over 77,000 again.
Prisons face overcrowding crisis
Prisons in England and Wales are under "enormous pressure" and are facing a "looming overcrowding crisis", according to a charity report. The Prison Reform Trust reported that prison numbers have crept up again since Christmas rising to over 77,000 again.
02 September 2009
Call For Degree Educated Prison Officers
A charity for Penal Reform has today released a report recommending that prison officers are educated to degree level in order to better manage prisons and reduce reoffending rates. At present, prison officers undergo eight weeks training before taking responsibility for safety and security within a prison.
Call For Degree Educated Prison Officers
A charity for Penal Reform has today released a report recommending that prison officers are educated to degree level in order to better manage prisons and reduce reoffending rates. At present, prison officers undergo eight weeks training before taking responsibility for safety and security within a prison.
28 August 2012
Most Prisons Are Overcrowded Statistics Show
Overcrowding and high reoffending rates are a fact of life in today’s prison system according to an analysis of recent prison population statistics by the Prison Reform Trust. Despite opening two new prisons this year with a capacity of 2,500 places, 59% of prisons in England and Wales are operating at an overcrowded level.
Most Prisons Are Overcrowded Statistics Show
Overcrowding and high reoffending rates are a fact of life in today’s prison system according to an analysis of recent prison population statistics by the Prison Reform Trust. Despite opening two new prisons this year with a capacity of 2,500 places, 59% of prisons in England and Wales are operating at an overcrowded level.
01 March 2011
Northern Ireland Prison Service Facing Reform
As many as 500 prison officers could be made redundant as part of a major, fundamental reform of the prison service in Northern Ireland. There is a severance package being proposed as one of the recommendations in an interim report published by a review team.
Northern Ireland Prison Service Facing Reform
As many as 500 prison officers could be made redundant as part of a major, fundamental reform of the prison service in Northern Ireland. There is a severance package being proposed as one of the recommendations in an interim report published by a review team.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
