Fleetwood, J. 2015. Sentencing Reform for drug trafficking in England and Wales’, IDPC Briefing paper, International Drug policy consortium. Discussion Paper. International Drug Policy Consrtium, London. [Report]

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Abstract or Description

This paper discusses recent changes to sentencing in England and Wales, which aim to recognise drug couriers as a distinct category, and so attribute lesser, more proportionate punishment. This innovation did not involve substantive change to drug laws, and reform has been achieved through revising sentencing practice by issuing guidelines for sentencers. This minor reform impacts on one specific group of beneficiaries only: drug couriers. International readers should note that sentencing in England and Wales operates according to a complex categorisation of activities and separates possession, different types of selling and production activities, and international trafficking. This sentencing innovation is broadly a step in the right direction in that it will reduce punishments for many, but not all, drug couriers. It suggests that taking role into account offers the possibility of more proportionate sentences for drug couriers.

Item Type:	Report (Discussion Paper)
Departments, Centres and Research Units:	Sociology
Date:	1 April 2015
Item ID:	20780
Date Deposited:	21 Jul 2017 14:11
Last Modified:	29 Apr 2020 16:28
URI:	https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/20780

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