Which Punishment For First-Time Burglars?

The issue of punishment for first-time burglars finds the British public divided as to what would be the best approach, according to new data from the MORI Social Research Institute. The controversy over the issue began when Lord Woolf, the Lord Chief Justice, said the average non-violent, non-professional first time burglar should not be jailed.

Since then, the issue has gained an enormous amount of publicity, and the results of a MORI SRI survey show the public is far from reaching a consensus. The survey shows 45% of people in Great Britain feel first time burglars should be sent to prison even if there are no aggravating circumstances, but 45% feel they should not be jailed and, instead, receive community service orders.

Men feel more strongly in favour in prison than women, with half of men (49%) opting for a prison sentence, compared with two in five (41%) women. The survey¹ also shows some marked regional differences. In the South, just over a third (36%) of people opt for prison, compared with 48% in the Midlands and 52% in the North.

Conservative supporters are more likely to favour prison, with half (50%) choosing that option compared with two in five (41%) opting for community service. Lib Dems favour community service by 54% to 38%. Labour supporters are equally split over the issue (46% for prison and 47% for community service). There is also a split by class. The middle classes (social classes ABC1) favour community sentences by 49% to 40%, while the working classes (C2DEs) are more likely to think first-time burglars should go to prison, by 50% to 41%.

The results may reflect a wider feeling that jail isn't always the answer. In July 2000, MORI SRI's 'Crime and Punishment' survey² asked people what they thought of the statement: "Prison works — the more prisons the better". More than half (56%) disagreed with the statement, whilst a third (33%) agreed.

Technical details

1. MORI interviewed a representative sample of 955 British adults aged 18+ by telephone on the MORI Telephone Omnibus. Interviews were carried out throughout Great Britain on 16-20 January 2003. Data are weighted to the known population profile.
2. MORI Telephone Surveys interviewed 1,003 British adults aged 18+ Interviews were conducted by telephone on 12-14 July 2000. Data are weighted to the known population profile. For more on this poll, please see our Crime And Punishment Poll

Q I would now like you to think about the way first-time burglars are punished. Generally speaking, what do you think is the right sentence for a first offence of burglary, assuming no violence or other aggravating circumstances are involved?

July 2000

Q Now I would like you to tell me to what extent you agree or disagree with the following statements. Prison works: the more prisons the better