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<p>Whilst crime is falling, offenders committing serious offences are more likely
to be sent to prison and for longer; Sentencing Guidelines make clear that custodial
sentences should be reserved for the most serious offenders. Sentencing is a matter
for our independent courts, which take into account all the facts of each individual
case. Offenders with no previous convictions, are generally less likely to receive
an immediate custodial sentence than a repeat offender.</p><p> </p><p>The information
requested is contained in the table below.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="6"><p><strong>Number
and proportion of offenders<sup>(1)</sup> with no previous convictions or cautions<sup>(2)</sup>
who were sentenced to an immediate custodial sentence for a first offence in a magistrates
court, 2010 to 2014.</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Year ending December</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Immediate
custodial sentence</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>All disposals<sup>(3)</sup></strong></p></td><td><p>
</p></td><td><p><strong>Proportion given an immediate custodial sentence</strong></p></td><td><p>
</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>931</p></td><td><p>54,030</p></td><td><p>
</p></td><td><p>1.7%</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p>
</p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="6"><p><strong><em>Source</em></strong><em>:
Ministry of Justice, Police National Computer (PNC)</em></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="6"><p><em>(1)
Figures are based on counting the number of sentencing occasions for offences committed
by offenders which were prosecuted by police forces in England and Wales including
the British Transport Police.</em></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="6"><p><em>(2) Figures
are based on counting the number of occasions on which offenders have previously received
a conviction, caution or the youth caution for any offences recorded on the Police
National Computer, including some offences committed outside of England and Wales.
Where there were multiple offences on the same occasion, only the primary offence
as recorded on the Police National Computer would be counted.</em></p></td></tr><tr><td
colspan="6"><p><em>(3) Includes some deferred sentences that the police will update
on the Police National computer at a later date when the final decision is known.</em></p></td></tr></tbody></table>
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