Author: Institute for Public Policy Research
ISBN No:
Review date: 13/12/2025
No of pages: 0
Publisher:
Year of publication:
Brief:
The criminal law needs to be scaled back to make the criminal justice system more effective, argues the Institute for Public Policy Research (www.ippr.org.uk) in a new report.
‘Them and Us: the public, offenders and the criminal justice system’ found that more than one third of men in Britain have a criminal conviction, often for very minor offences, and that a criminal conviction significantly reduces chances of getting a job. The report calls on Government to establish the criteria that must be met before any new criminal offence is created. Government should also conduct a review of minor offences to establish which could more appropriately be dealt with through civil procedures. Removal of these offences from the criminal law would have the twin impacts of freeing up much needed police and court time to deal with genuine crimes, and increasing social inclusion.
Reduce prison
Offences that should be reviewed include minor motoring offences, begging and minor public order offences. In many cases the penalty under civil law would be the same – a fine. The review could also consider more effective ways to prevent some offences, such as requiring TV retailers to see proof of licence before purchase.
Another major impediment to the criminal justice system’s effective operation is the vastly overstretched prison system. Recently the deputy head of the prison service warned Ministers that current severe overcrowding could lead to rioting, IPPR pointed out. By reducing the prison population (71,000 at present) to the European Union average of 49,000, the government could channel the œ800 million saved into methods that are proven to reduce re-offending. For example using health care facilities for those who are mentally ill and community penalties for those for whom prison is not absolutely necessary. ippr Researcher and co-author of the report, Clare Sparks said: ‘The criminal justice system will be unable to deliver the public’s expectations unless the Government cuts back the criminal law. Many offences could be dealt with through civil procedures which would be as effective but free up much needed police and court time to deal with genuine crimes. This is not being soft on crime. And it should cut crime, as we know that having a conviction makes it more difficult to get a job, and that unemployment increases the risk of re-offending. The fact that Britain has the highest prison population in Europe is not only a scandalous waste of public money, but also leads to re-offending, social exclusion and drug addiction. Prison regimes should be radically reorganised to provide services that reduce re-offending. New staff should have a broad range of skills and be judged on their ability to provide prisoners with the education, training and treatment they need to lead lawful lives. Every prisoner should receive practical assistance in finding a job and a home on release.’
