tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186890287279568808.post5543997492938935594..comments2023-10-30T20:58:57.351+00:00Comments on Unlocking Potential: Avoiding Long SentencesRob Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205742107009573223noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186890287279568808.post-71219729117819792522016-02-08T13:45:26.969+00:002016-02-08T13:45:26.969+00:00This is an excellent spot. Thank you for highlight...This is an excellent spot. Thank you for highlighting! It still isn't clear to me exactly how much sentencing reform our new Justice Secretary wants to implement... but he will have to do some if he is to hit George's budget targets...TjjGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06089460199540798775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186890287279568808.post-61811728811098786542016-01-25T16:27:46.258+00:002016-01-25T16:27:46.258+00:00Thanks for your interest in our report. Your artic...Thanks for your interest in our report. Your article quite rightly points out that the initial analysis of the burglary guideline - used to sentence 15,500 burglary offences in 2014 - has found that for non-domestic burglary, sentences have become more severe, something which was not anticipated when releasing the guideline. <br /><br />While the riots in August 2011 may have had an impact on this upward trend, it has not yet been possible to establish whether the riots contributed in any way to the continued upwards trend, whether the guideline is attributable, or whether a combination of the two led to the observed outcomes. The Council therefore plans to conduct further research in this area to explore some of the possible reasons and to establish whether the guideline may need to be changed, and if so, in what way. <br /><br />The Council’s approach to developing guidelines is based on a guideline development cycle, whereby different iterations of a guideline are produced and tested to ensure they can meet their aims and be implemented by judges in the way intended. Based on the outcome of these exercises, guidelines are refined. <br /><br />Monitoring and evaluation activity is also undertaken, with a view to assessing both the impact of the guideline (on sentencing practice and consequentially correctional resources) and any issues that have occurred with its implementation. In this way, the Council can consider the need to potentially revisit the guideline and make improvements. <br /><br />Our work with sentencers has shown that they place great value on the guidelines. In a recent assessment of the Council’s assault guideline, sentencers were positive about the guideline in relation to the consistency they felt it brought to the sentencing process, and the logical structured decision-making it promoted, whilst still allowing them judicial discretion and flexibility. <br /><br />Even so, the Council has noted that the assessment has highlighted some issues with that guideline that may be affecting its implementation and therefore has committed to revising it in due course. It will consider whether or not to take similar action in relation to the burglary guideline following the more in depth assessment it has already committed to undertake. <br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11984063012855576367noreply@blogger.com