'It's essential we get it right' - Stormont seeks public's views on plans to reform sentencing of criminals

Proposals from Naomi Long to update the law on how prison sentences are handed down are “long‑awaited” and it is “essential that we get it right”, the DUP chair of Stormont’s justice committee has said.

Paul Frew was speaking as MLAs began the process of asking the public for their views on the changes – which the justice minister says will deliver tougher sentences for a range of offences.

DUP MLA Paul Frew chairs Stormont's justice committee, which is looking at new laws to reform sentencing in Northern Ireland.

placeholder image — DUP MLA Paul Frew chairs Stormont's justice committee, which is looking at new laws to reform sentencing in Northern Ireland.

The Assembly’s Committee for Justice has now launched a Call for Evidence on the Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc) Bill – which it says contains “a series of important measures aimed at strengthening the sentencing system, improving transparency and enhancing public confidence in how sentences are determined”.

Changes would include new powers to refer and review unduly lenient sentences, a new offence relating to assaults on public sector workers and stronger penalties for causing death or serious injury through driving offences.

The introduction of Charlotte’s Law will “establish robust new measures” to deal with murder cases where an offender fails to reveal the location of a victim’s remains, ensuring that would be “fully reflected” in prison sentences.

New aggravating factors will be introduced for offences that target certain protected groups and vulnerable individuals – including make transgender people a protected group through new hate crime laws.

Paul Frew MLA said: “This Bill represents a wide‑ranging and long‑awaited update to our sentencing framework, and it is essential that we get it right.

“We want to hear directly from those impacted by the justice system including victims, practitioners, community organisations and members of the public.

“The public’s experiences and insights will play a vital role in helping us scrutinise the Bill and in ensuring that any reforms are fair, effective, and capable of strengthening confidence in sentencing across Northern Ireland.”

The six-week Call for Evidence opened on 30 March and closes on 08 May. The Committee is inviting written submissions, comments and evidence to assist its scrutiny of the Bill.