Quakers in the World

The green paper published today will give us an opportunity to consider the fundamental aspects of prison and punishment. It seems that it is only in conservative dominated governments that reform may be likely. There are many good things to consider in the proposals - reducing short prison sentences, eliminating the proliferation of indeterminate prison sentences, stopping recall for technical reasons, increasing the tariff for sentence reduction for pleading guilty etc. involving communities more in the process of sentencing is very restorative and I hope we will make the most of the opportunity.
Look out for the punishers!

We are expecting to hear a speech from Ken Clarke showing the way the government is thinking through the responses to the Green Paper. The commissioner for Victims is also due to report soon about her research into the needs of victims of crime and how they could be met. A busy few weeks ahead, which I hope we can debate here.