Neil Gray: “Prisons will always be necessary for those who pose the highest risk.”

This is going to be a complex area. It’s going to be difficult to deliver. It is a substantial reform and change – one that is necessary and that I support.

I understand why local communities and elected members want reassurance that lessons will be learned and, where necessary, that further action will be taken.

I won’t apologise for the fact that average sentences have increased. I think that is right that we have sentences matching the seriousness of criminality that we have faced.

Sexual and domestic abuse crimes are overwhelmingly perpetrated by men against women and, ultimately, men must change their behaviour.