Government Launches Review to Explore Non-Custodial Sentences Amid Prison Overcrowding

The government has launched a review into sentencing that will include looking at “tough alternatives” to custody amid prison overcrowding. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said on Monday that the review, to be led by former Justice Secretary David Gauke, will examine using technology to place convicts in a “prison outside prison.” Addressing the House of Commons on Tuesday, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood elaborated that this could involve expanding the use of home detention curfews, using ankle tags, to put criminals “under a form of house arrest” for part of the day. “Should they break that curfew, they can be picked up and, if needs be, locked up,” the minister told MPs, adding that she would return to the House with details of further measures on expanding home detention curfews....