Longer sentences attacked by Lord Phillips.

Bravo to the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips, who yesterday criticised the trend towards longer sentences.

He criticised the media for creating an atmosphere of vengeance and for failing to explain judges reasons for handing down specific sentences.

I especially like this statement:

"... I detect on the part of such publications an incitement to the public to exact vengeance from offenders not dissimilar from the emotions of those who thronged to public executions in the 18th century.”

For more read this Times article.