PRINGLE CHALLENGES FIRST MINISTER ON SENTENCING REFORM

3.20.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 30th Apr 2009

Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh South Mike Pringle has challenged Alex Salmond at First Minister's Questions over the Scottish Government's current proposals on sentencing reform.

Commenting after First Minister's Questions, Mr Pringle said:

"Official estimates show that the SNP's proposals on sentencing reform are not being used enough to make a real difference to prison overcrowding.

"Short term sentences are expensive, don't work and should be replaced with tough community sentences.

"Sentencing reform, however, is a delicate process and it is clear that replacing custodial sentences of up to six months is implausibly ambitious at this time.

"If the First Minister is serious about sentencing reform he should support Liberal Democrat proposals to see short term sentences of only three months or less replaced with tough community penalties."