Prospect responds to Sentencing Review

Sue Ferns, Senior Deputy General Secretary of Prospect union which represents prison professionals working in psychology, programmes, training, chaplaincy and other support roles, responding to the Sentencing Review, said:

“The best way to protect the public is to reduce reoffending. Working effectively to reform offenders while they are in custody is more important than how long they spend in prison and that means investing properly in areas like psychology, training and chaplaincy.

“Decisions to transfer offenders from prisons to community supervision must be based on sound professional judgment so public protection is maximised.

“For these sentencing reforms to work we need a greater emphasis on reform and rehabilitation, continued investment in prison spaces and staff, and to speed up the glacial pace of the judicial process so individuals spend less time on remand.”