Magistrates in Devon have been criticised for imposing too many jail sentences on offenders.
Figures released this week showed that they sent people to jail in three and a half per cent of the cases they heard in 2011 - which amounted to eight hundred and 41 custodial sentences.
In some parts of England the proportion is as low as one point five per cent.
The Howard League for Penal Reform has obtained the figures, which they say indicate a postcode lottery.
They want to highlight their concern that jailing people for the kind of minor offences dealt with by magistrates just doesn't work, as it doesn't rehabilitate the offender and makes them more likely to continue a life of crime.
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