Thousands Of Serial Criminals Dodging Jail

Click below to learn more, or get the full story here: Sky News, 12 May 2014, link.

Violent criminals are increasingly being given suspended sentences by the courts instead of being sent to prison, figures show.

Tens of thousands of serial offenders are walking free from court after being given suspended sentences despite persistent reoffending.

One in three prison sentences (31%) were suspended in 2012/13, meaning criminals do not go to jail as long as they commit no further crimes for a limited amount of time, an increase from 2% in 2002.

A total of 9,052 offenders were handed suspended sentences in 2012/13 despite having 15 or more previous convictions or cautions, according to figures obtained by the Centre for Crime Prevention. […]

Centre for Crime Prevention director Peter Cuthbertson said: “Thugs and sex offenders who think they are finally going to prison are overjoyed when they find out that their prison sentence has been suspended.

“It makes a mockery of justice for victims and puts the public at great risk.

“These figures show that criminals given suspended sentences go on to commit hundreds of thousands of crimes.

“Suspended sentences should be abolished.” […]

Click below to learn more, or get the full story here: Sky News, 12 May 2014, link.