How we manage offenders

Punishment

It is important that offenders are properly punished for their crimes. But sending people to prison is not the only way of punishing them.

NOMS rejects the suggestion that community sentencing is a soft option. A lengthy, well planned and properly supervised community sentence is tough on offenders and offers far more constructive possibilities for the future.

Judges and Magistrates have a wide and flexible range of community sentence options to choose from. Community orders may include one or more of a number of mandatory requirements, e.g. Unpaid Work, Drug Rehabilitation, Prohibited Activity Requirement or a Curfew Requirement.

For minor offences, NOMS is keen to improve the way that fines are enforced. Fines also have the potential to be a fair and effective method of punishment for offences which do not need to go before a court.