Thousands of criminals who plead guilty will have their jail terms halved under government sentencing plans, although rapists and paedophiles are to be excluded.
By Andrew Porter, Political Editor
The Ministry of Justice was forced to toughen up its plans after an outcry over initial proposals which indicated that all those pleading guilty could be considered for a 50 per cent reduction in their jail terms.
David Cameron has already ordered Kenneth Clarke, the Justice Secretary, to rule out sentence reductions for rapists, and yesterday the Ministry of Justice declared that paedophiles would also be barred from taking advantage of the new rules.
Downing Street is finalising the revised policy and the Prime Minister is expected to begin an offensive in the coming days to dispel accusations that the Coalition is soft on crime.
But the guidance on sentencing is still likely to mean more criminals are able to escape with shorter jail terms.
Back-bench Tories are urging Mr Cameron to show he is mindful of concerns about the party’s image on law and order by ruling out reduced sentences to all but a small number. They fear that Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, has again been instrumental in dictating policy.
However, hopes of a radical change to the plans have faded, partly because they are central to Ministry of Justice budget reductions and because Mr Clarke is expected to hold firm beyond a few exemptions.
To read more, click here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/8583548/Jail-terms-to-be-halved-for-guilty-pleas.html
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