The use of imprisonment for offenders convicted of indictable offences has risen by more than 25 per cent over the past ten years, new sentencing statistics show today. Over the same period, the average length of prison sentences has increased.
Sentencing Statistics 2005 (new window) also show that courts are confidently using new public protection sentences which came into force from April 2005.
Home Office Minister Gerry Sutcliffe, commenting on the statistics, said the Government was committed to heavier sentences for dangerous and serious offenders, while full use of community orders and fines should be made for non-dangerous offenders.
The statistics show that between 2004 and 2005, sentencing practice has changed very little for indictable offences – more serious offences which must be tried at a Crown Court. Almost the same percentage of offenders are receiving an immediate custodial sentence for these offences. But ten-year trends show the use of custody has increased over time, and sentences have got longer.
Key findings from the 2005 statistics published today include:
- the average custodial sentence length for indictable offences in the Crown Court increased by 25 per cent from 1995 to 2005;
- in magistrates’ courts from 1995 to 2005, average custodial sentence lengths for indictable offences remained between 2.7 months and 3.0 months; and
- the total number of offenders sentenced to immediate custody for indictable offences increased by 26 per cent from 1995 to 2005.
Home Office Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said:
“Prisons should be used for protecting the public from serious, violent and persistent offenders. We make no apology for bringing in public protection sentences, which mean dangerous offenders won’t be released from prison until the Parole Board considers it safe to do so.
“However, as we’ve repeatedly said, some offenders don’t need to be in custody and their offending can better be addressed with a tough community order which can pay back the community they have damaged. Community orders can be tailored to address the underlying causes of offending, such as drug abuse, giving sentencers more flexibility.
“The Government has improved the enforcement of fines, with a collection rate in the year to date of 90 per cent so that sentencers can have more confidence in using them as a sentence where they feel appropriate.”
Other findings from the 2005 statistics published this week include:
- the total number of offenders sentenced for all offences was 1,482,500, a reduction of 4 per cent since 2004;
- for indictable offences at all courts, the proportion of offenders given immediate custody remains unchanged at 25per cent;
- the average custodial sentence lengths for indictable offences decreased in the Crown Court by 1.1 months to reach 25.9 months although the introduction of larger numbers of indeterminate sentences has affected the calculation of average custodial sentence lengths;
- at magistrates’ courts for indictable offences, they remained at almost the same value of just less than three months;
- the number of offenders who received suspended sentences at magistrates courts’ for all offences has increased from 1,300 in 2004 to 7,100 in 2005;
- the proportion of offenders given community sentences for indictable offences increased very slightly from 35 per cent to 36 per cent;
- the number of offenders fined for all offences decreased by 5 per cent in 2005 to 1,025,100;
- the use of fines for summary motoring offences has decreased by 5 per cent from 622,600 in 2004 to 590,700 in 2005; and
- theft from shops recorded the highest number sentenced to immediate custody at magistrates’ courts.