Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Non-custodial Sentences: Enforcement

Tuesday 24 May 2022 · 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 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Independent working projects were introduced during the pandemic to allow offenders to complete their sentences at home.
  • The intention is to reduce the proportion of sentences that can be done under home working.
  • Systems are in place to ensure that home-based work projects are completed rigorously within the given timeframe.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

Concerns have been raised about the enforcement of community sentences, questioning their effectiveness and public perception.

Question

What steps he is taking to assure the public that non-custodial sentences are being enforced. I am concerned about reports suggesting penalties can be discharged by working from home, which undermines the credibility of these sentences.

Answer from Kit Malthouse

Independent working projects were introduced during the pandemic to allow offenders to complete their sentence at home, but it is not ideal. The intention is to reduce the proportion of sentences that can be done under home working, although some exceptions may still apply for those unable to do manual tasks in public.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on reducing home working and full commitment to enforcement were not provided

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Justice & Courts
Context

During the pandemic, there were reports that offenders could complete community sentences from home, raising questions about their effectiveness and public confidence.

Question

It is reported that the penalties can be discharged by working from home. Please tell me that is not true. I am concerned about the impact on public perception and the enforcement of these sentences.

Answer from Kit Malthouse

Independent working projects were introduced during the pandemic to allow offenders to complete their sentence at home. However, for those who cannot handle manual tasks such as brush and shovel work, there may still be a place for home-based work under strict conditions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on reducing home working were not provided

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Steve Reed Labour (Co-op) Streatham and Croydon North
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Community payback offenders now carry out fewer hours of unpaid work compared to five years ago, with around 30,000 offenders getting away without completing their sentences each year. There are concerns that the government is soft on crime.

Question

According to the Minister's own Department, community payback offenders now carry out 75% fewer hours of unpaid work compared with five years ago. On average, 30,000 offenders get away without completing their community sentences every year, and now we hear the Government are letting criminals finish their unpaid work sentences at home. Why have they gone so soft on crime that they are letting those criminals get away with it?

Answer from Kit Malthouse

During the pandemic, we had to find ways to allow offenders to complete their sentence at home due to restrictions. We have systems in place to ensure that these projects are done rigorously within the given time frame, and we aim to reduce such instances moving forward.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures and timeline for reducing home working were not provided

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email