Update

Sentencing Bill 2016 passed Parliament on 6 July 2017.

Under the new laws, courts will be able to impose two additional types of sentence: community-based orders and intensive correction orders. Intensive correction orders offer a further level of protection, while better supporting the rehabilitation of those offenders for whom a sentence of imprisonment is not considered appropriate.

In addition, the Bill gives judges and magistrates more guidance about how to prioritise considerations when sentencing offenders. They will have to place public safety first ­ with other factors such as rehabilitation, punishment, publicly denouncing an offender and holding them to account given secondary consideration.