Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Sentencing: Repeat Offenders — [Sir Gary Streeter in the Chair]

21 June 2022 · 7 other contributors · 12,569 words

Opened by Grahame Morris Lab Easington

Responding minister: James Cartlidge

Justice & Courts

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Grahame Morris raised concerns about sentencing: repeat offenders — [sir gary streeter in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • The Government are failing to deliver an efficient and effective criminal justice system, with repeat offenders menacing communities.
  • Police officers face frustration due to understaffing in the Crown Prosecution Service, leading to a loss of experience and an increase in crime rates.
  • The Prisons (Violence) Bill highlights that offenders often leave prison more damaged and dangerous than when they arrived, leading to increased reoffending rates.

Key requests to Government

The Government should address the causes of crime by disrupting organised crime gangs through a reform of drugs policy. They need to ensure there are enough police officers, staff, and community support officers to restore levels to what they were in 2010, as cutting police funding has resulted in an increase in crime rates.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Grahame Morris Lab Easington

The Government are failing to deliver an efficient and effective criminal justice system, with repeat offenders menacing communities. The criminal justice system is failing at every level, compromising public safety. Police officers face frustration due to understaffing in the Crown Prosecution Service, leading to a loss of experience and an increase in crime rates. There has been a significant drop in confidence in the police's ability to tackle crime, with 47% lacking confidence compared to 43% who are confident. The Prisons (Violence) Bill highlights that offenders often leave prison more damaged and dangerous than when they arrived, leading to increased reoffending rates and costing tens of billions of pounds annually.

Other contributors (7)
  • Alex Cunningham Lab Stockton North

    Alex Cunningham questioned whether shoplifters are being allowed to walk out of stores due to insufficient enforcement and court processes, expressing frustration from retailers about this issue. Cunningham highlighted the decline in community sentences and probation service effectiveness, citing a £1.2 billion uncollected court fines and over 7,000 fewer drug rehabilitation places since 2015. He raised concerns about prison conditions fostering addiction and poor drug detection systems, leading to higher reoffending rates.

  • Andy Carter Con St Helens South and Westminster

    Visited Thorn Cross prison and highlighted work to help young people find work after release, reducing reoffending rates. We have more police officers than ever before in Cheshire, thanks to the Government's commitment. However, many crimes are committed online or behind closed doors, highlighting the importance of forensic investigators. As a magistrate, Andy Carter supports the idea that magistrates should have a full range of sentencing options to ensure that rehabilitation activities are part of the sentencing package. Will the Minister discuss the changes to Friday release? There are virtually no support services for prisoners when they are released on Fridays.

  • Anthony Mangnall Con Tiverton and Honiton

    We are on track to meet the Government's commitment of 20,000 new police officers. Initiatives like LandWorks, Pathfinder, and NHS Reconnect help in reducing reoffending rates. The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act should enhance sentencing for repeat offenders. The hon. Gentleman is right that resources are put into rehabilitation, but the private sector also plays a significant role in preventing reoffending.

  • Daniel Poulter Con Stourbridge

    Congratulated the hon. Gentleman on the debate and discussed the challenge of drug dependency among prisoners as a root cause of reoffending.

  • James Daly Con Londonderry East

    He agrees with the hon. Gentleman but notes that sentencing function is for independent judiciary, not government. The hon. Member for Easington has spoken about the rehabilitative measures within custodial environments but not licence conditions, and noted that non-custodial disposals are more common for reoffenders than custodial sentences. He referred to his experience as a criminal defence solicitor and argued that reoffending rates were rampant during the Labour Government era. He stressed the need for stability in offenders' lives through sentencing, highlighting bespoke sentences rather than uniform approaches. The hon. Member lacks evidence to back up his claim that judges do not trust community sentences and mentions Government's work on community payback which is visible and effective.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    The MP expressed concern about the high reoffending rates in Northern Ireland, particularly for domestic abuse and sexual assault. He supported harsher sentencing to protect victims and prevent repeat offending. Jim Shannon also highlighted the need to notify victims when offenders return to their neighbourhoods.

  • David Amess Con Southend West

    Asked the Labour party's former Director of Public Prosecutions about his early career discussions with Ministers to address sentencing issues.

Government Response

James Cartlidge

It is a great pleasure to serve under your chairmanship for the first time, Sir Gary. I pay tribute to the hon. Member for Easington (Grahame Morris) and congratulate him on bringing forward this important debate on a topic that, despite the turnout, creates great interest on all sides. I note my party's background as a solicitor and previous service under the Department's predecessor in the Lord Chancellor's office. The hon. Member for Easington finished his speech with specific questions. Between October 2016 and December 2021, prison officer numbers rose from 17,955 to 22,156—an extra 4,201 full-time officers. Specific measures include rolling out pepper spray in the adult male estate and introducing 6,000 body cameras across the estate. On police officers, I confirm that we are at 13,500; I was pleased to hear about the number of extra officers in Cheshire and South Hams. We pay tribute to all those who serve in our communities. The proportion of offenders released from custody who reoffended within 12 months fell significantly from 51.5% in 2010-11 to 42.2% between April 2019 and March 2020; however, we recognise that reoffending rates are still too high across England and Wales (80% of offenders cautioned or convicted had at least one previous caution or conviction). This Government understand the concern and harm caused by repeat offending. We have a strong record in tackling reoffending but acknowledge there is no easy answer. We pursue an extensive package of measures to tackle it, including: - Sentencing framework: ensuring courts have the sentencing framework they need. - PCSC Act changes to legislation for longer custody sentences. - Tougher community sentencing options and closer supervision. - Reforms adult out-of-court disposals for low-level offending. - Probation service unification with £155 million per annum funding. - Integrated offender management scheme for persistent offenders (9,000 offenders supervised). - Investment in drug treatment services (£780 million over three years). - Alcohol tags for monitoring compliance with alcohol bans (97% of days monitored being alcohol-free). On release notifications: we have a victim contact scheme where an offender receives one year or more in custody, bereaved close relatives and victims of serious sexual and violent offences are automatically referred to the scheme. Prison education service will be delivered within this Parliament to raise numeracy, literacy, and skills. We plan for prison leavers to have accommodation and employment support on release, enabling apprenticeships, and engaging with community treatment ahead of release to reduce reoffending.

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