Lord Campbell of Croyasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they will introduce legislation containing their proposals for longer minimum prison sentences. [HL4326]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThe measures set out in the Criminal Justice Bill for determining the minimum term to be served in relation to a mandatory life sentence will take effect two weeks from the date of Royal Assent for the Bill.
18WAThe Criminal Justice Bill also makes provision for a minimum sentence for certain firearms offences. No decision has yet been taken as to when this measure will take effect.
Lord Campbell of Croyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will introduce legislation containing their proposals for longer minimum sentences. [HL4435]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThe Criminal Justice Bill, which is currently before Parliament, contains measures for determining the minimum term to be served in relation to a mandatory life sentence. The Bill also makes provision for a minimum sentence for certain firearms offences.
§ Lord Taylor of Warwickasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many prisoners serving sentences of six months or less are (a) adults; and (b) young offenders. [HL4530]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalOn 30 April 2003, there were 3,376 adults and 871 young offenders serving sentences of six months or less in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales.
§ Lord Taylor of Warwickasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in the light of the pressure on the prison system, they will introduce tougher community sentences as possible alternatives to custodial sentences. [HL4531]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalIt is for the courts to decide in individual cases whether a prison sentence is appropriate. Where imprisonment is the most appropriate punishment, it should be applied and we should, and are, developing our capacity to meet demand. There is already a range of demanding community sentences available to sentencers. In addition we are introducing tough new programmes such as the "Intensive Control and Change Programme" (ICCP) for 18 to 20 year-olds. ICCP, which was launched as a pilot in April, involves probation supervision and police surveillance, for 25 hours a week.
The Criminal Justice Bill will provide sentencers with further options. A generic community sentence will replace the current series of stand-alone orders and will provide sentencers with the flexibility to impose a package of requirements to meet offences of varying degrees of seriousness. Additionally the introduction of two "intermediate" sanctions— custody minus and intermittent custody, allowing offenders to retain employment and family contact will provide options short of full time custody.