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David Gauke plans to SCRAP prison sentences of six months or less

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David Gauke plans to SCRAP prison sentences of six months or less

Justice Secretary David Gauke unveils plans to SCRAP prison sentences of six months or less if it’s proved they do nothing to reduce crime rates

  • Gauke said there’s a case for less serious offences to be punished alternatively 
  • He told the Commons he was hoping to have ‘firm proposals by the summer’
  • Mr Gauke first announced his intention to scrap short sentences in February 

By Sophie Borland for the Daily Mail

Published: 20:34 EDT, 4 June 2019 | Updated: 20:36 EDT, 4 June 2019

Prison sentences of fewer than six months will be scrapped in proposals to be unveiled this summer, the Justice Secretary has said.

David Gauke said there was a ‘strong case’ for less serious offences to be punished with alternatives such as community work.

He told the Commons yesterday he was hoping to have ‘firm proposals by the summer’, which means within two months.

David Gauke said there was a ‘strong case’ for less serious offences to be punished with alternatives such as community work

Mr Gauke said: ‘If short sentences are ineffective at reducing reoffending, then we’re not doing society a favour and we’re not reducing crime. I think there is a strong case for looking at alternatives for custody for less serious offences, and as a whole I am ambitious to reduce the use of short sentences.

‘There is a strong case for abolishing sentences of six months or less with some exceptions and we are working towards having firm proposals by the summer.’

Mr Gauke first announced his intention to scrap short sentences in February.

But critics including Tory MP Philip Davies claimed ending the ‘short, sharp shock’ of prison would simply give criminals the green light to break the law.

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