Transparency and Consistency of Sentencing

Derek Twigg Excerpts

Thursday 2nd February 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Clarke]

I have now set off a whole lot of other interventions. As I have started this diversion, or been led to it, I will give way again.

[Derek Twigg (Halton) (Lab)]

I am very interested in what the Secretary of State is saying and agree with his view about the importance of deterrence as well as punishment, but there is a flaw in what he is saying about sending people to prison. When talking to police officers in my constituency a year or so ago, I was told that they took five or six prolific burglars off the streets and put them away for a year or two, which had a massive impact on burglary rates in the area, so it does work. Although they will be released eventually and might reoffend, the fact is that putting people in prison does have an impact in certain circumstances.