Jail sentences for sex offenders now shorter

THE average length of time served in prison by offenders convicted of sex crimes is at its lowest period for five years.

In 2001-2, sex offenders given custody were sentenced to an average of 1,203 days, just over three years. By 2005-6, the average sentence fell to 1,038 days - just over 2 years.

Government research, highlighted yesterday by SNP MSP Christine Grahame, also found wild inconsistencies in the length of time sex offenders spend in jail for different offences.

While average prison terms for rape increased from 2,188 days in 2004-5 to 2,425 in 2005-6, typical sentences for people jailed for indecent assault dropped from 1,277 days to 1,033.

Jail terms for those convicted of lewd and indecent behaviour also fell, from 845 days to 663 over the two years.

Ms Grahame voiced concern at the apparent level of inconsistency in sentencing and urged the Scottish Executive to take immediate action.

"These figures highlight a downward trend in the length of time convicted sex offenders are spending in jail and I think that sends the wrong message to victims of such crimes, in terms of encouraging them to come forward to report incidents," she said.

"At present we already have very low rates of conviction for these types of offences, especially in rape cases, although I note that the trend, in terms of the period of imprisonment for convicted rapists is slightly up over the past four years.

"I believe it sends entirely the wrong message to both perpetrators and victims that such offences are not being dealt with as firmly as they once were.

"This may in turn lead to fewer victims coming forward to endure the process of giving evidence in the first instance."

Ms Grahame, who is an MSP for South of Scotland, is planning to write to the Lord Justice Clerk calling for a review.

She said she would also ask ministers to reinstate the Scottish Sentencing Commission which was dissolved by the last Executive.

A spokesman for the Executive said: "Scottish government wants to see greater consistency in the sentences imposed by our courts, and for that very reason plan to hold further discussions with key interests, principally the judiciary, on how to achieve such consistency, including the arguments for the creation of a statutory sentencing council."