UK Sentencing Guidelines Face Backlash Over Alleged Bias

New rules advising judges to consider minority backgrounds in sentencing decisions have drawn criticism from both Labour and Conservative leaders.

The Sentencing Council's new guidelines suggest judges should consider pre-sentence reports for offenders from ethnic, cultural, or faith minorities, as well as other specific groups.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick have both criticized the guidelines, citing concerns about unequal treatment under the law.
The guidelines, influenced by the 2017 Lammy Review, aim to address disparities in sentencing outcomes for minority groups but have been labeled as creating a 'two-tier justice system' by critics.
Mahmood has requested the Sentencing Council to reverse the changes and is considering legislative action to prevent similar guidelines in the future.
The Sentencing Council defends the guidelines, emphasizing that pre-sentence reports provide critical context for fair and effective sentencing decisions.