Short term jail sentences could be scrapped by UK Government.

Rory Stewart, the Prison Minister, has proposed today that prison sentences lasting six months or less could be scrapped by Government plans.

The move was introduced to ease pressure on the UK prison system and reduce re-offending rates, as Stewart suggested shorter jail time can cause more damage than healing.

According to the Telegraph, thousands of offenders, such as burglars and shoplifters would be spared under the new prison plans, however, exceptions would be made for sexual or violent offenders.

Official figures show that the current 2018 UK prison population is 800,000, double than the early 1990's figures.

This governmental plan, if implemented, would be similar to Scottish legal reforms in 2010.

Since its introduction, the Scottish re-offending rates have fallen to a two-decade record low.