Recommendation 64

The public, too, is questioning the use and enforcement of community sentences. Gavin Dingwall told us that, “too often, there is a public perception that anything other than a custodial sentence is not an adequate response to an offence” and that, “often this is borne out of ignorance of different types of sentencing.” 108 The House of Commons Justice Select Committee recently reported on these issues, finding that a significant proportion of the public has little knowledge of sentencing policy. 109 The Ministry of Justice cited the work of the Sentencing Council on the public understanding of sentencing: “These reports indicate that most respondents were of the view that COs may be most appropriate for less serious crimes, such as minor theft. Some however felt that they were too ‘soft’ to be effective.” 110