“Tougher sentencing too” – Readers say longer prison sentences are needed in the UK

The Prison Reform Trust has warned that plans to keep offenders behind bars for longer may not help to cut crime or make the country safer and would only add to pressures on overstretched prisons.

We asked in our Facebook poll: “Do you think longer prison sentences are needed in the UK?”

More than 400 readers took part in our online vote, with 87% saying yes – longer prison sentences are needed in the UK.

This is what you said in the Facebook comments:

Jenna Wilson said: “They know they'll only do half the sentence they are given. Need more deterrents. It’s too easy to get life’s basics like shelter, clothing, food, warmth, tv, etc...”

Rachel Hope said: “Tougher sentencing too. We’ve become far too lenient a nation of late. Punishment no longer fits the crime, having visited many of our prisons for university research, I found many are too hotel-esque and comfortable.”

Jamie Ross said: “Watching UK police programs, seeing the offences committed and the paltry sentences handed out especially community service for offences that should be several years in jail, are absolutely no deterrent at all.”

Caz Rae said: “The sentences handed out are a joke. How does a life sentence mean 10 or 15 years? Life should mean life and parole only possible once the convicted person is at least retirement age.”