Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

“A Smarter Approach to Sentencing” White Paper

Tuesday 16 March 2021 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Last week, the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill was introduced to deliver tougher punishments for serious offenders and crimes against women and girls.
  • The Department is expanding electronic monitoring for community supervision and developing GPS tracking for offenders released from custody who have committed burglary or theft.
  • New prison facilities are being built to improve the existing female estate, allowing women offenders to engage in purposeful activities in a secure environment.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rob Butler
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP inquired about the progress made by the Department of Justice on proposals outlined in its September 2020 White Paper.

Question

What progress has his Department made on the proposals in its September 2020 White Paper, “A Smarter Approach to Sentencing”?

Answer from Robert Buckland

Last week, we introduced the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill. This landmark piece of legislation will deliver on commitments made to make punishments tougher for serious offenders and those who commit crimes against women and girls, as well as introduce more effective community sentences. Non-legislative reforms in the White Paper aim to tackle underlying causes of criminal behaviour and improve rehabilitation.

Answered
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Q2 Rob Butler
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP raised the potential for technology to improve public safety, punish criminals more effectively, and reduce reoffending within the context of the White Paper's proposals.

Question

How will measures in the White Paper enable the courts, prisons and probation services to exploit new technology?

Answer from Robert Buckland

We are expanding electronic monitoring for community supervision. Courts in England will soon impose alcohol abstinence and monitoring requirements, GPS tracking for offenders released from custody who have committed burglary or theft offences is being developed, and legislation to extend curfew lengths from 12 months to two years will be laid down.

Answered
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Q3 Lyn Brown Lab
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP questioned the Government's strategy regarding short prison sentences for women, noting that these sentences often fail to address the root causes of criminal behavior.

Question

Why is he still insisting on spending another £150 million on ineffective prison places when this money could be used to break the cycle of abuse and reoffending?

Answer from Robert Buckland

I can reassure her that prison places being built will improve and enhance the existing female estate. The new facilities will allow women offenders to do purposeful activities in a secure environment, supporting each other, and benefiting from residential centres such as the one in Wales.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP's concern about the ineffectiveness of short prison sentences for women was not directly addressed with concrete evidence or alternatives.

How: Supporting The Female Offender Strategy, Improving And Enhancing The Custodial Experience

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