Crime fear over benefits 'penalty'

Those refusing to do community service could lose benefits

Government plans to remove welfare benefits from offenders who breach community sentences will introduce a "two-tier" criminal justice system and increase crime, it is claimed.

The National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders' (Nacro) comments came as the House of Lords prepared to debate plans to hold back benefits from offenders who breach a community service, probation or combination order.

Under the proposals, offenders who persistently breach the community sentences will have their Jobseekers' allowance and income support withdrawn for up to six months, together with any other penalty imposed by the court.

But Nacro's director of policy Paul Cavadino urged the government to rethink the proposals, labelling them "objectionable" and "counter-productive".

'Poor singled out'

He said: "It is bound to increase crime. Pushing people into even greater poverty must increase the temptation to steal, burgle, solicit or sell drugs.

"This new measure will mean that poor offenders will be singled out for extra punishment that better off offenders will escape.

"This amounts to a two-tier criminal justice system.

"Because it will affect the total family income it will seriously affect other innocent family members including young children."

Mr Cavadino said the measures could discourage probation officers from returning transgressors to court if they know there will be "unjust and draconian results".

The House of Lords will debate the proposals, contained in Clauses 61 to 65 of the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Bill, on Monday.