Friday, June 10, 2011

SENTENCING ROW: USE PRISONS MORE, SAY OVER-50S.

SAGA 
PRESS RELEASE 
 
June 10, 2011. 
 

SENTENCING ROW: USE PRISONS MORE, SAY OVER-50S.

  
Older voters believe there would be far less crime in Britain if more use was made of prisons and there was less reliance on community service sentences. 
  
Two thirds of over-50s - coincidentally polled by Populus on behalf of over-50s lifestyle organisation Saga just before political war broke out over sentencing - said they believed prison would be a stronger deterrent. 
  
The stance was higher among men than women - 70% compared with 57% - while C2, D and E demographic classes were more adamant that a spell behind bars worked more effectively than a stint sweeping the streets, tidying parks or helping community groups. 
  
“The survey was conducted before the arguments over prison sentencing started in the Commons. As such, it’s probably a far more objective cross section of opinion than if we’d asked the same questions after remarks by various politicians on the subject,” said Paul Green, Head of Communication at Saga. 
  
Londoners and Scots were least enthusiastic that prison would be more of a deterrent – 56% and 59% respectively agreed – while people in the North West, Yorkshire and Humber – 69% - were most likely to favour prison over community service sentences. 
  
Populus interviewed 11,289 people aged 50+, online between May 13 and 20, 2011. Populus is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. 
  
Ends 
  
Further information: 
  
Paul V Green 
Head of Communication 
Saga Group Ltd 
01303 776 023 (w) 
07714 414 859 (m) 
  
Iain Macauley 
im@pressrelations.co.uk
07788 978800 
Twitter @Press_Relations

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