Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 15
15
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 81
Adopt structured deliberative engagement exercises to gather public views on sentencing policy.
Recommendation
Given the potential importance of public opinion in influencing sentencing policy, the Government should consider adopting a structured engagement plan to gather information on the public’s views on sentencing. Whilst we recognise the value of public polling exercises, we recommend caution be exercised in relying exclusively on the findings of ad hoc polls as an evidence base for sentencing policy decisions. The MoJ should conduct regular, structured, deliberative engagement exercises with members of the public as part of its policy development process. The Sentencing Council should also consider whether it could use structured deliberative engagement exercises as part of its public engagement work and as part of its consultations on draft guidelines, including a full range of offending scenarios, such as violent and sexual offending, if relevant.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the pivotal role of public opinion and states it is continually exploring ways to enhance existing engagement processes and increase public awareness of involvement avenues, but does not commit to a specific structured engagement plan or regular deliberative exercises.
Paragraph Reference:
81
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
69. Public opinion absolutely plays a pivotal role in shaping sentencing policy, and we recognise that this demands careful consideration. As mentioned in the above recommendation (Paragraph 81), there are several ways that we engage on sentencing policy to ensure an inclusive, as well as robust policy making process. We are continually exploring ways to enhance current processes including ways to increasing public awareness of the existing avenues for engagement in sentencing policy discussions.