Downing Street Says » Tougher sentences

» Thursday, October 27, 2011

Tougher sentences

Asked if the Prime Minister had confidence in Ken Clarke following his U-turn on jailing juveniles for knife crime, the PMS reminded the Lobby of the Prime Minister’s position as set out in June – that we want to see a new sentencing regime which will be better understood by the public and command greater confidence. On juvenile knife crime specifically we need to send out a clear message about the seriousness of this and that is what is behind the proposals. Asked if it is the Prime Minister’s view that it should be made more difficult for those currently serving indeterminate sentences to have their sentences reduced, the PMS clarified that as proposals are not retrospective changes would only affect those who are going through the court when the Bill receives Royal Assent. It is up to the Parole Board to decide when prisoners currently on indeterminate sentences should be released, the key factor being that they don’t present a risk to the public. Asked why the Justice Secretary had changed his mind on the issue of knife crime, the PMS said that this was something the Government had been looking at, it is Government policy that we want to review sentences and send a clear message that people who commit crimes will be punished. We have published our amendments and these will go forward and be debated in the House.

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