Tougher community sentences a welcome addition says MP
3rd October 2011
Geoffrey Cox, MP for Torridge and West Devon, has welcomed Government proposals for tougher community sentences. The sentences will see offenders made to complete a full five-day week of hard work and job seeking.
The new rules will see those convicted and given a community sentence made to work a minimum of 28 hours over four days, with the fifth day spent looking for full-time employment. Work suggested includes manual labour, as well as tasks to improve public areas by clearing litter, cleaning graffiti and maintaining parks and other green spaces.
Geoffrey said: “We want to see offenders giving back to their communities – working a five-day week, just as others who obey the law, is surely not too high an expectation.”
“Instead of sentences which often result in reoffending and a continuing cycle of crimes, we need to push for a structure that requires work and breaks the reoffending figures inherited from the Labour government, which are currently far too high.”
“The result could mean fewer criminals, fewer victims and savings for the taxpayer – I look forward to witnessing the benefits in our communities as this fantastic scheme hopefully comes to fruition.”
