Riot Jail Terms Are '25% Longer Than Normal'

English courts are handing down prison sentences to convicted rioters that are on average 25% longer than normal, according to analysis of riot-related court cases by The Guardian.

The newspaper examined 1,000 cases dealt with so far by magistrates since rioting erupted across England earlier this month.

Data showed that a series of high-profile cases that have already come to court - such as four-year sentences handed down for inciting riots via Facebook - are indicative of harsher sentencing across the country.

Up to 70% of those sent to crown court have also been remanded in custody, which has placed a heavier burden on prison and police cell space availability.

Further examination of sentencing showed that magistrates are more likely to give immediate jail sentences in the wake of the riots.

It said that in analysis of 80 cases dealt with by magistrates so far, 56 defendants were sent directly to jail.

Statistically, it showed that 70% of defendants are receiving jail terms compared to a "normal" rate of 2%.

Magistrates in England are limited to imposing prison terms of up to six months.

Those sentence for riot-related theft or handling stolen goods have received terms of 5.1 months. This compares to a normal period of four months, according to Ministry of Justice (MOJ) figures.

The recent spike in both arrests and sentences due to the widespread unrest has placed massive demands on the prison system.

However, the Prison Governors Association (PGA) said that there is still sufficient capacity to accept more prisoners.

"Recent events have provided an unprecedented situation in regards to the prison population which is changing on a daily basis having recently reached an all-time high.

"The prison population as of (August 18) is 86,608, balanced against a useable capacity within the service of 88,093,"the PGA said in a statement.

"The useable capacity does not include those cells which are out of action for a number of reasons. At present there is capacity headroom of 1485."

A spokeswoman for the MOJ said sufficient space remains for all those convicted by the courts.

"We will provide prison places for those committed to custody by the courts," she said.

"We are developing contingencies should exceptional pressure be placed on the prison estate."