Judges to get more leeway on repeat offenders

The government has proposed amendments to the Penal System Reform Act that would give judges more flexibility to consider relevant previous convictions, Minister of Home Affairs Gregory Nicholls has told Parliament.

As debate began on the Penal System Reform (Amendment) Bill in the House of Assembly on Tuesday, Nicholls noted that the law is the starting point for the sentencing process.

The legislation was intended to ensure that prison sentences were based on the seriousness of the offence and that punishment was proportionate to the crime committed, as the government conducted a complete review of the penal system.