Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Tenth Report - Public opinion and understanding of sentencing
Justice Committee
HC 305
Published 25 October 2023
Recommendations
5
Accepted
Review MoJ sentencing statistical releases for public accessibility, analysis, and relevance.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response 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.
Ministry of Justice
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Conclusions (4)
3
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 36
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 …
Government Response 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.
7
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 47
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 …
Government Response 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.
8
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 48
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 …
Government Response 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.
17
Conclusion
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. …
Government Response 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.