Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 31
31
Acknowledged
Actively engage public on sentencing policy using structured methods, regular polling, and independent evaluation.
Recommendation
This Government, and its successors, need to think carefully about how to engage with public opinion on sentencing. There are important choices to be made about how to ascertain public opinion and the extent to which policy should be responsive to public pressure. In our view, the Government should seek to actively engage the public on sentencing policy but should do so in a structured and methodologically rigorous fashion. It should ensure that both traditional polling and deliberative methods are used, and that exercises occur at regular intervals. Finally, policy proposals on sentencing should be subject to independent evaluation, so that the resourcing implications are evaluated before they are enacted. (Paragraph 131) 62 Public opinion and understanding of sentencing
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, rigorous engagement plan or independent evaluation of policy proposals.
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.