Prime Minister says 'tough but intelligent' justice is needed
Published: 23 October 2012
- Date:
- 23 October 2012
David Cameron laid out his vision for criminal justice on Monday 22 October, saying that criminals can be punished and rehabilitated at the same time.
In a speech in London, he said the debate on crime and punishment had become too "black or white".
The Prime Minister said it was right for serious offenders to be imprisoned, but that "just being tough isn't a successful strategy in itself.”
Javed Khan, Chief Executive of Victim Support, said: “We welcome the Prime Minister’s focus on victims within his reforms of the criminal justice system. Punishment and rehabilitation are both vital elements in achieving justice. We know from the work we do with thousands of victims of crime that they want to see that offenders are not only punished but don’t go on to commit more crimes.”
Questioning David Cameron at the Centre for Social Justice event, Javed Khan asked about police and crime commissioners (PCCs) and victims of crime. He said: “Given the advent of police and crime commissioners and your plans to devolve funding for victims to them, I am concerned they may not be compelled to provide any services to victims and that may dent your commitment to put victims first.”
David Cameron replied that as the public say they support victims of crime, this means that PCCs will also support them.