Sentencing (Publicity)

Oral Answers to Questions — Home Department – in the House of Commons am 2:30 pm ar 22 Mawrth 2010.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Philip Hollobone Philip Hollobone Ceidwadwyr, Kettering 2:30, 22 Mawrth 2010

If he will provide support to Northamptonshire police's project to publicise sentencing outcomes from Crown courts and magistrates courts.

Photo of David Hanson David Hanson Minister of State (Home Office) (Crime and Policing)

The Government recognise the importance of providing communities with information about those brought to justice. Through the policing pledge, forces have committed to publicising local outcomes regularly. Her Majesty's Courts Service continues to support that work, including developing a website, which will enable magistrates court outcomes to be accessible to the public online.

Photo of Philip Hollobone Philip Hollobone Ceidwadwyr, Kettering

If we are to improve the public's confidence in our criminal justice system, do we not need much less sympathising with and understanding of why criminals commit crime, and much more naming and shaming?

Photo of David Hanson David Hanson Minister of State (Home Office) (Crime and Policing)

The hon. Gentleman knows that, while not naming and shaming as such, we support visibility of outcomes in the criminal justice system. That is why the Ministry of Justice introduced orange jackets for community offenders 18 months ago, why we are trying to get individuals involved in picking projects for community work, and why we are trying to ensure that the community knows what happens to people-the outcomes of criminality. Those matters are important, and I hope that the hon. Gentleman supports them.