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<p>Protecting the public will always be our priority. One of the first acts by this
Prime Minister was to order an urgent review of sentencing. The focus of the review
has been on the sentencing for the most serious violent and sexual offenders and the
rules governing when and how those offenders are released. As part of the review,
we have also considered changes to sentencing for prolific offenders which could help
break the cycle of reoffending.</p><p>Based on the findings of the review, we will
be bringing forward proposals shortly for a comprehensive package of legislative reform.
This will include amending the automatic release point for the most serious sexual
and violent offenders (where the offence carries a maximum life sentence) from the
half-way point to two thirds of the sentence.</p><p>As part of this package of reform,
we also plan to bring forward proposals for community penalties that offer an appropriate
level of punishment, while tackling the underlying drivers of offending. We know that
prolific offenders generally have multiple and complex needs which are linked to their
offending behaviour, in particular drugs, alcohol and mental health needs. If we are
to break the cycle of reoffending, solutions will often lie in community sentences,
including those which address offenders’ behaviour, answer their mental health and
alcohol or drug misuse needs, or provide reparation for the benefit of the wider community.
On 1 October we announced that we would be introducing Alcohol Abstinence and Monitoring
Requirements (AAMR) across England and Wales, starting in 2020.</p>
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