Ex-Tory-turned-Labour Sentencing Czar David Gauke has released an ‘interim’ report ahead of Spring’s sentencing review claiming that the ‘tough on crime’ approach is to blame for Britain’s prison overcrowding crisis. According to Gauke, the “knee-jerk” sentencing policies since the 90s—introducing longer jail terms—have left prisons “dangerously close to collapse.” Worth remembering that Gauke himself was in Tory governments that backed these policies, even serving as Justice Secretary…
Now, he wants ministers to ditch tougher sentencing as a way to show they’re tackling crime. His final review is expected to push for a major expansion of community punishments instead, with judges relying on tech to create virtual “prisons outside a prison.” Effectively laying the groundwork for Labour to scrap short sentences…
Gauke hit the media circuit this morning to pitch his softer sentencing plan, despite warnings that weaker sentences just embolden criminals. His main justification? Saving cash. He told the Today Programme:
“Well, I think there is clearly going to be pressure on public spending, but in fact to a large extent, that strengthens the argument that I’m making. Prisons are expensive. The ongoing costs of keeping somebody inside is expensive. Instead [spend money] on mental health treatment, drink and drug addiction treatment, that is relatively cheap. Our addiction to longer sentences is an expensive mistake.”
A soft-on-crime policy disguised as a budget cut. Robert Jenrick slammed the review saying “Labour should be deporting foreign nationals and expanding court capacity instead of plotting to abolish short sentences.” Iceland’s Richard Walker might be hiring some enthusiastic new staffers soon…
Sarah Pochin at Reform Scotland’s manifesto launch event: “I really wanted to come on in a Reform tartan burka, but apparently I wasn’t allowed… One day let’s do one of these events not live-streamed. We’ll do all the naughty stuff…”