U.K. introduces harsher sentences for serious crimes

Published 27 October 2011

Kenneth Clarke, the U.K.’s justice secretary, is introducing harsh new prison sentences for individuals convicted of serious crimes as part of a broader shift to stricter penalties; changes include a new mandatory life sentence for individuals convicted on their second serious sexual or violent crime; a mandatory minimum four-month prison sentence for juveniles convicted of aggravated knife offenses; the move signals a shift to a harsher U.S.-style of law with minimum mandatory sentences; the decision was reportedly highly controversial and resulted in fierce internal disputes with home secretary Theresa May

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