The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to go further with reform of prison sentences. Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Ed Davey said:

“Liberal Democrats have long campaigned for a presumption against sentences of less than 12 months. Under these plans we would reduce prison overcrowding and redirect resources towards community sentences which are proven to be far more effective.

“At long last ministers seem to be waking up to this evidence, but they must not dither. They must urgently bring forward plans to end destructive short-term prison sentences.

“It is also welcome that plans for new women’s prisons have been shelved. The justice system is fundamentally unfair to women. The culture of over-reliance on prison belongs in the Victorian era.”