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answer text |
<p>The data relate to convictions for all criminal offences, imprisonable and non-imprisonable.
Non-imprisonable offences will never result in a custodial sentence: the maximum penalty
is a fine. Sentencing must match the severity of the crime. We will always hold in
prison those criminals whose offences are so grave that no other penalty will suffice.
However, sentences should also rehabilitate. There is persuasive evidence showing
short sentences do not work in helping some offenders turn their backs on crime. The
number of people convicted of (a) no, (b) between one and four, (c) between five and
nine, (d) between 10 and 15, (e) between 16 and 25, (f) between 26 and 50, (g) between
51 and 75, (h) between 76 and 100 and (i) 101 or more convictions, who were convicted
in each of the last three years but did not receive an immediate custodial sentence
can be viewed in the table.</p>
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