Alternatives to Prison: Armed Forces
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing structured military service as an alternative sentence for non-violent offenders serving sentences of less than 25 years.
Answered by Sir Nicholas Dakin
We have no current plans to introduce military service as an alternative to custody. Therefore, no comparative cost analysis has been undertaken.
Research indicates that sentences with a military focus do not reduce re-offending. The evidence shows that it is the intervention to address offending behaviour which makes a difference, not the military regime and physical toughness.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →