Blunkett targets violent offenders

David Blunkett wants the punishment to fit the criminal

Home Secretary David Blunkett has warned violent criminals they will spend longer in jail if they continue to offend.

He said: "My message for violent, sexual and dangerous criminals is - the more you offend the tougher and longer the sentence."

We will give you a chance but if you let yourself down we will get tough as boots with you

David Blunkett

Experts say that up to 15 new prisons - costing £600m - would be needed to cope with an increase in numbers being jailed.

But Mr Blunkett, unveiling a comprehensive review of sentencing in England and Wales, said the proposals would deter crime.

Custody plus

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that he questioned whether those given six months sentences should be jailed, "losing jobs and family".

Those who were sent to prison could be subject to "custody plus" - a period of rehabilitation and supervision when they were released from prison.

Sentencing reforms

Longer sentences for persistent criminals

Previous convictions taken into account when sentencing

Violent offenders serving full sentences, not released 2/3 the way through

"Custody plus" - 40,000 lower level offenders serving half their time inside, the rest on probation

New community sentences to replace the bureaucracy of 12 different community orders

Offenders sentenced to 12 months or more serving 1/2 their time and supervised for rest

But the estimated 100,000 persistent criminals, said to be responsible for half of all crime, would face serving all their sentences instead of being released early.

"We will give you a chance but if you let yourself down we will get tough as boots with you," warned Mr Blunkett.

In a speech to the National Probation Service, he added: "We need to put the sense back into sentencing - and build a transparent system that commands public respect."

He praised the idea of "behavioural contracts" for young people on difficult estates who were in danger of ending up in court as "a virtual clip round the ear".

Ps and Rs

He said the system of sentencing should be built round the "3Ps and 3Rs": prevention, protection, punishment, and reparation, reduction of crime and rehabilitation.

Jail sentences would be longer for persistent offenders

The sentencing review was conducted by retired civil servant John Halliday, who predicted the plans could need up to 9,500 extra prison places and put 80,000 more offenders under probation supervision.

Depending on which of his proposals were to be accepted, Mr Halliday estimated his plans would cost between £300 million and £650 million a year.

But he predicted they could save up to £800 million a year by reducing the cost of crime.

Harry Fletcher of the National Association of Probation Officers said the Home Secretary's plans could see an increase of the prison population from 66,000 to 74,000 - requiring between 12 and 15 new prisons.

Right direction

The Howard League for Penal Reform's Tim Colbourne said community service elements in the Halliday review could be "a step in the right direction".

But he was alarmed by the "get-tough" stance on prison.

"We are worried by the suggestion that persistent offenders can be deterred with the threat of prison," he said.

"There is no evidence for this.

"In fact, cracking down on offenders means that more of the people who have little control on their lives, such as the drug or alcohol dependant, homeless and mentally ill, end up in jail," he said.

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Simon Hughes gave a guarded welcome to many of the proposals.

But he added: "Any new system must work to cut offending inside and outside prison.

"In every case, the punishment must fit the criminal and the crime - which means mandatory sentences are wrong and individual sentences are right."