Ms Mahmood told MPs that while the early release scheme was now working as planned, there was still an acute problem in jails holding too many remand prisoners.
She said that by giving magistrates the power to decide cases that would lead to jail sentences of up to 12 months, the record remand population would begin to fall.
In turn, with fewer suspects having to go to crown courts, judges would gain an extra 2,000 days a year to deal with the most serious cases and start to reduce the unprecedented delays.
Critics say that the Conservatives’ earlier attempt at this plan, between 2022 and 2023, failed because it led to more people in jail with very little change in the backlogs.
The modelling for the new government’s projections will be published when the new rules are formally presented to MPs.
The BBC understands that official projections suggest the short-term population rise could turn out to be as little as 100, if the plan succeeds in getting more remand cases through the courts.
Outlining the plan to the Commons, Ms Mahmood said ministers had had to make tough decisions that were ducked by their predecessors.
“This Government inherited a criminal justice system in crisis, with dangerously overcrowded prisons and victims waiting far too long to see justice,” she said.
“This marks a further step towards addressing the deep challenges in our criminal justice system, both reducing the record remand population in our jails and delivering swifter justice for victims.”
But the plan has already been met with dismay by criminal barristers.
Mary Prior KC, chair of the Criminal Bar Association, said: “This will simply make things worse. This is a knee-jerk reaction, done without consulting, once again, the criminal barristers or solicitors who deal every day with these cases.
“This suggestion has been tried before but removed very quickly.
“Doubling magistrates’ maximum sentencing powers will only increase pressure on reduced prison space, by speedily raising the much bigger sentenced prisoner population.”
Mark Beattie, chair of the Magistrates’ Association, said that its members welcomed the new power to help deliver swifter justice.
“I know our members and colleagues will take up this increased responsibility with professionalism and integrity and will – as always – strive to deliver the highest quality of justice in their courts,” he said.
Source:
www.bbc.com
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