Recommendations & Conclusions
5 items
3
Conclusion
Tenth Report - Public opinion and under…
Accepted
It is concerning that much of the public is not aware of recent trends in sentence lengths.It means that the public is not able to consider individual sentences within a wider context. Low levels of understanding of sentencing has an effect on the quality of public debate on sentencing, which …
Read more
It is concerning that much of the public is not aware of recent trends in sentence lengths.It means that the public is not able to consider individual sentences within a wider context. Low levels of understanding of sentencing has an effect on the quality of public debate on sentencing, which in turn can have an influence on sentencing policy.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government highlights its existing quarterly Criminal Justice System Statistics publications and user guides, noting their focus on user needs. They state they will continue to consider options for broader visual presentations of data to aid understanding, indicating ongoing efforts rather than new commitments.
Read full response →
Ministry of Justice
5
Recommendation
Tenth Report - Public opinion and under…
Accepted
It is vital that the public has access to current data on sentencing practice so individual cases can be understood in their broader context. The MoJ should review its statistical releases on sentencing to ensure that they are presented in a format that is easily accessible and relevant to members …
Read more
It is vital that the public has access to current data on sentencing practice so individual cases can be understood in their broader context. The MoJ should review its statistical releases on sentencing to ensure that they are presented in a format that is easily accessible and relevant to members of the public. Statistical releases should be accompanied by analysis and commentary. The MoJ should also revive the digest of criminal justice statistics and ensure that this reflects trends in sentencing and issues subject to public debate. (Paragraph 42) Public opinion and understanding of sentencing 57
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government outlines how its Criminal Justice System Statistics publication has significantly developed to offer accessible data tools and commentary, and states it will continue to consider broader visual presentations, rather than committing to a specific review or revival of the digest.
Read full response →
Ministry of Justice
7
Conclusion
Tenth Report - Public opinion and under…
Accepted
There is currently a significant gap in the public information on sentencing. The criminal justice system quarterly statistics provide information on sentencing, but there remains a need for more easily accessible data on sentencing trends, especially on sentencing for specific offences and in specific areas. At present the public debate …
Read more
There is currently a significant gap in the public information on sentencing. The criminal justice system quarterly statistics provide information on sentencing, but there remains a need for more easily accessible data on sentencing trends, especially on sentencing for specific offences and in specific areas. At present the public debate on sentencing focuses almost exclusively on individual cases and we believe that better analytical information could help to redress this imbalance.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government states that its Criminal Justice System Statistics publication has significantly developed to meet user needs, offering detailed data tools and user guides, and commits to continuing to consider options for broader visual presentations.
Read full response →
Ministry of Justice
8
Conclusion
Tenth Report - Public opinion and under…
Accepted
The Crown Court Sentencing Survey provided a rich dataset on how sentences are determined. It should be possible to use the Common Platform, the new case information system used in the criminal justice system, to produce a valuable dataset on sentencing without imposing additional burdens on the courts and the …
Read more
The Crown Court Sentencing Survey provided a rich dataset on how sentences are determined. It should be possible to use the Common Platform, the new case information system used in the criminal justice system, to produce a valuable dataset on sentencing without imposing additional burdens on the courts and the Sentencing Council. The Ministry of Justice, HMCTS and the Sentencing Council should explore how the Common Platform can be used to produce useful sentencing data that can be presented in a way that is accessible to the public.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government highlighted its existing initiative to allow television cameras to broadcast judges' sentencing remarks in Crown Courts and the Court of Appeal to improve public understanding, but did not address the recommendation to explore using the Common Platform for producing accessible sentencing data.
Read full response →
Ministry of Justice
17
Conclusion
Tenth Report - Public opinion and under…
Accepted
Our polling on the public’s view on the appropriate starting points for specific offences suggests that a majority would support increases in the severity of the relevant custodial sentences. This position is also supported by much of the research into public opinion cited in the evidence submitted to this inquiry. …
Read more
Our polling on the public’s view on the appropriate starting points for specific offences suggests that a majority would support increases in the severity of the relevant custodial sentences. This position is also supported by much of the research into public opinion cited in the evidence submitted to this inquiry. This potential gap between public opinion on sentencing and actual practice indicated by the evidence we received highlights the need for in-depth analysis of the public’s view of sentencing policy for particular offences. (Paragraph 87) Public opinion and understanding of sentencing 59
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government details its existing quarterly Criminal Justice System Statistics publications and user feedback processes, stating it will continue to consider options for broader data presentations. It focuses on current data dissemination rather than committing to an in-depth analysis of public views on sentencing policy.
Read full response →
Ministry of Justice