Write to letters@thetimes.co.ukSir, The row over so-called two-tier sentencing misses the point (“Minority and trans criminals could avoid jail under new rules”, Mar 6; leading article, Mar 7; comment and letter, Mar 8). According to government statistics, we already have a two-tier system. This is because people from ethnic minorities are more likely to be arrested, charged and convicted than their white counterparts. They also receive higher sentences than white people convicted of a similar offence. The guidelines from the Sentencing Council are an attempt not to favour ethnic minorities but to check whether suspects have been subject to racism (deliberate or not) in the criminal justice system and, where relevant, take that into account.

Source: The Times March 10, 2025 09:06 UTC