On the day that around 1,000 inmates will be released earlier from prison as the Government attempts to reduce prison overcrowding, the Justice Secretary is launching sentencing review with a view to solving the crisis long term.
Amongst the proposals being reportedly looked at are the banning of short sentences, new technology to offer offenders life coaching and “prison outside prison” , a form of house arrest.
The review will be led by the former Conservative justice secretary David Gauke,and will examine using “tough alternatives to custody,” such as giving courts the powers to enforce house arrests using “nudge technology” like tags, smartphones and watches that could help coax offenders into meetings with workplaces, drug treatment courts and with probation officers.
The announcement comes as it is expected the prison population will reach crisis point again in just a year’s time
