More action needed in tackling root causes of crime: Brown

5.37.47pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 30th Mar 2010

Figures released to the Liberal Democrats show that prison sentences are not a deterrent for carrying a knife.

From an answer to a Parliamentary Question, Liberal Democrats have identified that, of the 180 people currently in prison for carrying a knife, 163 have received previous custodial sentences during the past ten years, and all of these received prior custodial sentences for the same crime.

Commenting Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesman Robert Brown MSP said:

“These figures are clear proof that custodial sentences are often necessary for the protection of public but do not seem to work to deter anyone from carrying a knife.

“It confirms that prisons can often be in effect colleges of crime where prisoners come out more likely to re-offend than when they went in. Efforts by populist Labour and Tory politicians to outbid each other in sending more and more people to jail are short-sighted and just do not work.

“Carrying a knife is a serious crime and those caught must expect to face the consequences. All the evidence suggests that effective policing and the certainty of being caught and arrested does make a difference. However sentencing decisions must be made by the courts.

“Knife crime is a serious threat and must be tackled properly by what is known to work – not by knee-jerk reactions by politicians pretending to have magic solutions which they didn’t use when they were in power themselves.

We want to work towards ensuring this hugely serious problem is dealt with in an effective manner by making sure high visibility policing is the norm in Scotland’s communities.

“We also want more action and resources targeted towards tackling the roots causes of crime, making sure that knives are kept out of the hands of young people and battling gang culture