Convicted offenders who are unemployed should be given longer community sentences, according to the chairman of the influential home affairs committee.

John Denham claimed offenders who had a job or cared for family members should receive shorter sentences.

This would be fairer because “the impact is clearly much heavier on someone who is already busy than someone who isn’t”, he said.

The Home Secretary has said he needs solutions to overcrowding in jails.

Mr Denham, a former Home Office minister, claimed his suggestion would build confidence in community sentences - an important part of reducing overcrowding in prisons

Read More