Recommendation 23

In relation to the current challenge to public confidence based on the persistence of the view among the public that the system is not severe enough, it is important to recognise that this represents a significant long-term public policy challenge that needs to be addressed. Our own polling indicates that the majority of the public support further increases to the severity of sentences for the gravest criminal offences. We should not assume that these views are based on mistaken assumptions or lack of knowledge of current sentencing practice. It is vital that policymakers adopt a consistent and principled response to maintaining public confidence in response to the challenge of the public’s position on sentencing severity. This should be informed by an attempt to understand what the public’s expectations are.