Archbishop attacks "obsession" with jail

By Staff
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LONDON, Feb 2 (Reuters) The Archbishop of Canterbury has criticised the government's ''obsession'' with imprisoning offenders, adding his voice to a debate over prison sentences that drew front page headlines last week.

The spiritual leader of Anglican Christians, Dr Rowan Williams, suggested other forms of punishment could be used for some low-level offences such as petty vandalism and theft.

Speaking at the Methodist Central Hall in London yesterday to mark the 25th anniversary of the Prison Reform Trust, Williams called for an inquiry into the penal system.

''We need clarity and honesty about what offences can and cannot be appropriately dealt with under the non-custodial and reparative model,'' he said.

Home Secretary John Reid came under fire last week for writing to judges warning that jails were full and suggesting non-violent offenders be given non-custodial sentences. Two judges subsequently freed paedophiles, citing Reid's remarks.

''I say nothing though a great deal could be said -- and indeed has been said in the last week or so -- of the way in which the custodial obsession, the creation of more and more offences with a custodial tariff, simply chokes the prison system and compounds all the failures in responsibility for prisoners,'' Williams said.

Short-term sentences for economic crimes, theft, petty vandalism and some drug offences could be a ''vicious circle'' for those who did not react to the stigma of a jail term, he said.

Serious offenders, such as violent and abusive criminals, should be imprisoned, but we ''should think more about what can be achieved in the custodial setting,'' he added.

Reuters SBA VP0448

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