Community Orders

(asked on 8th January 2018) - View Source
Questioner
Lord Laming Portrait
Lord Laming
(Crossbench - Life peer)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many community sentences were handed down in each year from 2008 to 2016; and what action they are taking in response to reported reductions in the number of such sentences handed down.

Answered by
Portrait
Lord Keen of Elie
This question was answered on 23rd January 2018

The number of community sentences handed down in each year from 2008 to 2016 can be viewed in the attached table and also on the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/614418/cjs-outcomes-by-offence-tool-2016.xlsx Our data shows that between 2008 and 2016, the number of community orders issued fell by 46%. The fall in number of defendants appearing before court and changes in the mix of offences coming to court are key factors in overall decreased numbers of community sentences. 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. We are committed to ensuring that community penalties are tough, effective and command the confidence of sentencers.

Total number of community sentences handed down in each year, England and Wales, 2008 - 2016 (1)(2)

Total community sentences

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

190,172

195,977

189,333

177,603

151,183

126,535

112,638

114,286

102,938

(1) The figures given in the table relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.

(2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice.

Ref: HL4476

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