"Under the reform, courts must stop handing out such short prison terms other than in a number of specific or exceptional circumstances. MPs passed the measure as part of the government's plan to end the population crisis in prisons."
"Many rehabilitation campaigners say it would be cheaper and more effective to try to turn around the lives of these people in the community. That was supported by David Gauke, the former Conservative justice secretary who reviewed sentences for the Labour government."
"Riel Karmy-Jones KC, chair of the Criminal Bar Association, said the reforms would make an almost immediate impact, including on court backlogs because they would encourage defendants to plead earlier."
Starting Monday, offenders in England and Wales who would have received up to a year in jail are likely to get suspended sentences instead. This reform aims to reduce prison overcrowding and improve rehabilitation, as short jail terms have shown little effectiveness. Judges can now suspend sentences of up to three years, which is expected to decrease the number of individuals entering jails. The changes apply to new convictions, leaving those already sentenced unaffected. Over 6,000 individuals currently serve short sentences, often leading to recidivism.
Read at www.bbc.com
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