Tories attack Straw over no-jail call

London: Justice Secretary Jack Straw was accused of "giving criminals a break" on Friday after he urged magistrates to jail fewer criminals to help ease chronic prison overcrowding.

Conservative Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Herbert said it was a panic measure that highlighted the government's chronic mismanagement of the prison system.

"Victims of crime will be outraged at the suggestion that criminals should be spared jail simply because of this government's incompetence in failing to provide sufficient prison places," he said.

"The prisons are literally full, but instead of doing its duty and securing emergency capacity to protect the public, the government's response is to give criminals a break."

With the prison population at a record high, Straw said non-custodial sentences can be more effective than short jail terms for some offenders.