The existing guideline came into effect in 2017 and sets out general principles for imposing sentences on adults as well as other considerations such as when to suspend sentences and requests for pre-sentence reports.
The proposed revisions take account of recent legislation, case law, research and feedback from criminal justice practitioners. They include, for the first time, sections on sentencing young adult offenders and female offenders, additional guidance on the circumstances in which to request a pre-sentence report, and new information on evidence regarding the effectiveness of rehabilitation compared to short custodial sentences, based on external research.
Lord Justice Davis, chair of the Sentencing Council, said: ‘The purpose of the guidance is to ensure a consistency of approach across all courts.
‘We hope that judges and magistrates will find the guideline clearer and easier to use than its predecessor.’
The consultation, available to view at sentencingcouncil.gov.uk, ends on 21 February.
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