Tough on crime and tough on criminals

The Government has today announced that more dangerous criminals will be given life sentences, there will be automatic prison sentences for knife criminals and more common sense brought into sentencing.

'Two strikes' and you're out. We are introducing a 'two strikes' policy so that a mandatory life sentence will be given to anyone convicted of a second very serious sexual or violent crime.

Prison for knife crime. Any adult convicted of using a knife to threaten and endanger will go to jail and we propose that any 16 or 17 year old will face a custodial sentence for the same offence.

Common sense in sentencing. We are ending the practice of releasing dangerous sexual and violent offenders halfway through their sentence. Those who have been convicted of the most serious crimes in this category will not be released before the end of their sentence without Parole Board approval.

Announcing the proposal, Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke said:

"Under our plans we expect more dangerous offenders to receive life sentences. Those getting the new Extended Determinate Sentence will have to serve at least two-thirds of it behind bars before release. We are clear that there will be no automatic release before the end of the full sentence for the most serious cases.

"The new regime will restore clarity, coherence and common sense to sentencing."