Custody Plus, which will combine a short custodial sentence with support in the community, was due to be introduced in the autumn. But the Government appeared to draw back from the deadline last week.
In a written parliamentary answer Gerry Sutcliffe, undersecretary for justice at the Home Office, said although the department is still working towards an autumn implementation, the Government will not bring it in until the resources are in place.
Frances Crook, director of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said the Government is afraid introducing the sentence would lead to a rise in short-term sentences for offenders who might otherwise have been given a community order.
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