Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to increase the use of alternatives to prison sentences.

There is a case to abolish or restrict the use of sentences of six months or less, with some exceptions, and we are working towards having firm proposals by the summer.

The sentencing framework already gives courts the flexibility to select community order requirements which are a robust alternative to custody, and are tailored to address the specific issues that contribute to reoffending. Community sentences, in certain circumstances, are more effective in reducing reoffending, and therefore keeping the public safe. We must ensure the public and judiciary have confidence in effective community orders, including those which address offenders’ behaviour, answer their mental health and substance misuse needs and provide reparation for the benefit of the wider community.

Confidence in community sentences starts with confidence in the probation services that deliver them and our probation reforms are designed to achieve this. Bringing all offender management responsibilities under the National Probation Service and having a more clearly defined role for the private and voluntary sectors in delivering interventions are intended to strengthen sentencer and public confidence in probation. Our changes will also ensure a wider range of rehabilitative programmes, so that courts can better tailor community sentences to the individual needs of offenders.