Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 18
18
Deferred
Paragraph: 94
Current sentencing policy proposals lack independent scrutiny of their impact on prison resources.
Conclusion
Under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, the Lord Chancellor can refer a government policy proposal, or a government proposal for legislation, to the Sentencing Council for an assessment of the implications for prison resources. In practice, there has only been one request made under this power by a Lord Chancellor, and the Council does not believe it is well placed to undertake such assessments. The Ministry of Justice does carry out its own impact assessments, but these are not independent. The result is that at present there is a lack of independent scrutiny of sentencing policy proposals, and in particular analysis of their downstream impact on resources.
Government Response Summary
The government deflected responsibility, stating that the independent Sentencing Council would respond to the committee on recommendations specific to the Council.
Paragraph Reference:
94
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
19. As the Committee will be aware, the Sentencing Council is independent of Government, and we understand that the Council will be responding to the Committee on the recommendations that apply specifically to the Council.