Fewer people look set to be sent to prison in an overhaul criminal justice policy, due to be unveiled by the government today.The policy review will recommend tougher community sentences and the removal of non-cash assets and driving licences as an alternative to sending convicted offenders to already overcrowded jails. Other plans include keeping prisoners in contact with their children and more therapy and less reliance on drugs to treat mentally ill offenders.
Special courts may be set up for the mentally ill and "hybrid " prisons for offenders with serious mental health problems may be introduced.
Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer this morning denied the shift in policy was a recognition that the government had "got it wrong" on crime since 1997.
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