A THINK tank has called for a ban on prison sentences of six months or less in Scotland.
Reform Scotland said only an outright ban on short sentences could bring about change in the justice system.
The organisation said the ban should extend to a year if automatic early release for short sentences remains in place.
The think tank highlighted that despite a presumption in the Scottish courts against sentences of three months or less imposed in 2010, nearly 30 per cent of all prison terms in 2015/16 fell into that category.
In addition, it said automatic early release meant 65 per cent of offenders that year served three months or less.
Speaking ahead of the publication of a new report on prison reform, research director Alison Payne said: “The Scottish Prison Service itself has said that there are limited opportunities for rehabilitation during short sentences.
“Furthermore, the disruption of a short sentence, including loss of income and employment, and problems with childcare and family relationships, often makes the sentences disproportionate to the crime.
“A presumption against short sentences is well meaning but, in the final analysis, if we don’t want short sentences then we have to prohibit them.”
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