Written evidence to be reported to the House

Part of Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 4:15 pm on 16 October 2007.

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Cindy Barnett: There is an argument for saying that it might possibly increase them because obviously before we impose a suspended sentence we have to be certain that a custodial sentence is appropriate and that we cannot step back to a community-based penalty. Then if it is going to be custody, it cannot be suspended. So, if there are cases in the future where we come to that conclusion and we cannot suspend, it will mean an immediate custodial sentence. I definitely cannot forecast the precise numbers.