Over 65,000 convicted criminals walk free as “soft” sentences continue

The British justice system is accused of continuing to fail the victims of crime by not giving out tougher jail sentences, as it has been revealed that over 65,000 criminals have not received prison sentences.

In the latest figures it has been revealed that 49% of the people who committed sexual assault have walked free. Other figures show that 46% of criminals who sexually assaulted children under 13, 49% of burglars and 40% of robbers have not faced jail-time. A massive 71% of the criminals convicted for neglect and cruelty towards children have not met a jail sentence.

This comes despite the government’s promise to end hand-outs of so-called “soft” sentences.

The Labour party has described the justice system’s failure as an “insult” to the victims. Shadow justice secretary Sadiq Khan said that the justice system has been affected by the cuts in the government.

He said: “Some of these crimes are so serious and violent, that members of the public rightly expect them to lead a prison sentence.”

“One of the concerns is that this is being done to save money. Justice done on the cheap like this risks prisoners re-offending rather than being reformed which means more victims and misery,” he continued.

The Conservative Party has said that they are trying to apply tougher sentences.

Justice secretary Chris Grayling said: “I’ll take no lessons from a Labour party that let thousands of criminals out of prison early because they hadn’t provided enough places, who let thousands of offenders off with a slap on the wrist caution instead of proper punishment, and who failed to get any money from prisoners’ earnings for their victims.”

Mr Grayling has pledged that under the new “rehabilitation revolution”, community sentences will include compulsory punishments like paying fines and picking litter.

A person who commits a crime will be tracked 24 hours a day via satellite. They will be banned from going into certain places, for example bars and clubs.

Justyna Majewska