Clarke in the Sun’s harsh light

The Sun has launched another sortie against Ken Clarke’s restorative justice programme. The paper reports:

‘SHOPLIFTERS could escape prison by just paying for what they pinch and saying “sorry”. Jail sentences and tough fines will be SCRAPPED as the default punishment for nicking from stores under controversial plans soon to be unveiled by Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke. Instead he wants thieves to make face-to-face apologies to victims and pay compensation.’

The Ministry of Justice has responded by saying that it ‘strongly believe[s] offenders should make more financial and other amends to victims and are in the process of consulting on plans for this.’

The substance of that statement contrasts with Prisons Minister Crispin Blunt’s fire in the House on 11 January. Blunt said that a significant proportion of shoplifting was drug-related, before adding that:

‘In 2008, the rate of reconviction within one year for adults convicted of offences related to shoplifting was 78.3%. That is an unacceptably high rate.’  

That rate of reoffending costs the economy £4bn/year, according to a recent retail survey. Is a face-to-face apology likely to diminish that rate? I suspect it will be the triumph of hope over experience. Reform and restoration are important, because prison doesn’t work as well as it might, especially where drug treatment is concerned. But punishment and protection are equally imperative, especially as shoplifting is a habitual crime with deleterious effects.