A review of prison sentencing in England and Wales needs to be open to all ideas, including seeing prisoners earn an earlier parole hearing through working and good behaviour, according to the Justice Secretary.
Credits could earn earlier parole hearings via work, training and education under any scheme in England and Wales, the Telegraph reports, with sentences increased for anyone who refuses employment opportunities.
Last week, the Independent Sentencing Review issued a report which said longer jail terms have been a “knee-jerk” policy response to show action by successive governments, leading to an overwhelmed and ineffective system.
Ms Mahmood told The Times she would “find a way” to make sure any plans to make prisoners work were not blocked by “obstacles” including human rights legislation”.
If you’re going to think about incentivised behaviour, obviously it’s a carrot and a stick, isn’t it,” Ms Mahmood told The Daily Telegraph about the review.
