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Proceeding contribution from Lord Beith (Liberal Democrat) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 24 March 2009. It occurred during Debate on bill on Coroners and Justice Bill.

Coroners and Justice Bill

There is a danger in the approach implied in both the question and the answer. It is a twofold danger. First, in order to demonstrate that society will not put up with whatever may be happening in a locality, excessive reliance may be placed on the theory of deterrence and a sentence may be passed that does not have the deterrent effect that it was assumed it would have. Secondly, the process of signalling to society that the courts are not going to put up with the offence may draw them into prison sentences that are themselves ineffective. We should look for ways of making that sort of declaration that do not involve us in impractical sentences.

Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
490 c232 
Session
2008-09
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Complaints Disclosure of information Data protection Databases Codes of practice Accountability Armed forces Alternatives to prison Coroners Damage Finance Homicide Government departments Discrimination Industrial accidents Immunity from prosecution Freedom of expression Offenders Private sector Personal records Protection Powers Public bodies Property Staff Paedophilia Scotland Rehabilitation Sentencing Standards Witnesses Sexuality Religious freedom Sanctions Reoffenders Information Commissioner's Office Homophobia Sentencing Council for England and Wales
Legislation
Coroners and Justice Bill 2008-09
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk