Back to Criminal Justice Alliance News

Comment on the Sentencing Council's draft guideline for drug offences (28 March 2011)

Commenting on the proposed new sentencing guideline for drug offences published by the Sentencing Council, Jon Collins, Director of the Criminal Justice Alliance, a coalition of more than fifty criminal justice organisations, said:

"The work of the Sentencing Council to promote consistency is important and welcome. Clear guidance like this can prevent a postcode lottery in sentencing, helping to make sure that offenders receive the sentence that they deserve.

"We welcome proposals contained in this draft guideline to reduce the draconian sentences currently given to drug 'mules'. These sentences are frequently disproportionate and unjust, while there is no evidence that long sentences act as a deterrent in these cases.

"However, it is disappointing that the Sentencing Council has not gone further in reforming sentencing for other drug offences. Reducing sentence lengths for some minor drug offences would protect scarce resources in the prison and probation services and reduce the unnecessary overuse of prison. The Sentencing Council should examine whether it could do more to address this."