"And now, while the #criminaljusticesystem is in flames – record, growing #courtbacklogs; record delays; #trials unable to go ahead for a lack of #judges and £barristers; crumbling #courtbuildings; overflowing #prisons; #chronicunderstaffing – the #LordChancellor has backed herself into a pointless, idiotic fight in which she may ultimately be forced to dismantle the one part of the system which was quietly and effectively getting on with its job."

#Sentencingcouncil

https://thesecretbarrister.com/2025/04/02/we-need-to-talk-about-the-sentencing-council/

No @BBCNews they aren't "rules" but sensible guidelines.

Government to override sentencing rules after 'two-tier' row - BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0m9n4m7w3jo
#SentencingCouncil

Question for #sentencing scholars:

Does anyone know where can we find the number of #PreviousConvictions (#CriminalHistory) recorded for offenders sentenced in the #CrownCourt?

Seems pretty basic but all I can find are indirect estimates through #SentencingCouncil surveys, not the exact figure.

Report Launch Event: 'Towards a Balanced and Inclusive Sentencing Approach - Equality and Diversity in the Work of the Sentencing Council'.

All welcome to this hybrid roundtable discussion. Organised by the University of Nottingham. Register at: https://bit.ly/inclusivesentencingapproach

#Criminology, @criminology, #CriminalJustice, #Sentencing, #SentencingCouncil, #Disparities, #Ethnicity

If you want a great example of #MixedMethods informing #Policy, check out this humble yet super consequential report by Emma Marshall from the #SentencingCouncil for England and Wales.

https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/SC-Theft-road-testing-bulletin-FINAL-web.pdf

Using experiments and interviews with judges, and content analysis of sentence transcripts, she fine-tuned the guideline for theft offences to ensure that it would reflect the current sentencing practice, limiting increases in #SentenceSeverity.