28 December 2023 , 00:01
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Inmates serving short jail sentences too often get a "university course in crime", a new report calling on fewer people to be sent to prison says.
Ministers have been urged to plough more cash into rehabilitation and make better use of community sentences, with the prison system at "crisis point". A report by the cross-party Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee said short spells behind bars can make things worse.
Committee chairwoman Baroness Hamwee said: "Prisons are at crisis point. Places are simply not available. Yet it is well-known that a short time in custody too often schools someone in how to be a 'better' criminal. The Government acknowledges all this.
"If the crisis is regarded as an opportunity to focus on how to make the best use of community orders, their potential can be realised, to the benefit of individual offenders and of the community."
She said the use of community sentences has dropped dramatically in the past 10 years - adding that if used well these can "turn people's lives around". Peers said prisons were at a "critical point", at 99% of their capacity with many in an "extremely poor condition".
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Earlier this month, Justice Secretary Alex Chalk was forced to confirm he would consider tougher community sentences. It came amid concerns proposed reforms will result in offenders escaping punishment.
He has unveiled plans to address prison overcrowding by suspending most prison sentences below a year - with increased use of electronic tags. But the move has sparked anger, with former Home Secretary Suella Braverman saying this would make thousands more likely to reoffend.
The Lords report said crime "can be reduced through rigorous sentences served in the community". It demanded more funding for rehabilitation programmes.