Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, for which offence or offences each current prisoner serving a sentence of 12 months or less was imprisoned.

The offence(s) for which each prisoner serving a sentence of less than 12 months was imprisoned, as at 31 March 2018, can be viewed in the table.

Sentencing is a matter for our independent courts, who take into account all circumstances of the case, including any aggravating and mitigating factors.

Whilst there is persuasive evidence that short custodial sentences of less than 12 months do not help some offenders turn their backs on crime, protecting the public will always be our top priority. Under this government, the most serious offenders are more likely to go to prison, and for longer, helping protect the public and keep communities safe.