Non-violent criminals can be let out of jail early if they wear a tag

Lord Coulsfield, who headed an independent inquiry, said the scheme interfered with courts' decisions.

He said the early release scheme could suggest "that what the court says is not what actually happens".

But Prisons Minister Paul Goggins defended the scheme, saying short sentences were "a waste of time".

'Increasing confidence'

Mr Goggins told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We have had home detention curfews (HDC) for five years and it works very effectively.

Lack of clarity about the true effect of sentences, for example as a result of executive release, may produce mistrust Report findings

"The vast majority of prisoners on HDC fulfil all their obligations successfully and only 2% reoffend whilst on HDC. It does help reintegrate prisoners into the community.

"It doesn't interfere with the court's decision, because the court will know at the point of sentence that HDC is available for that particular prisoner and that particular sentence.

"I think the public has increasing confidence in electronic surveillance as a way of containing prisoners and ex-offenders out on licence."

'Clear message'

Mr Goggins said the Home Office agreed with "90%" of Lord Coulsfield's report.

He said new sentencing guidelines to be released next year would ensure dangerous criminals were given "an indeterminate sentence and won't be allowed out until it is safe to do so".

He added: "The message should go out loud and clear both from Lord Coulsfield's inquiry and indeed from the government that short-term prison sentences are a waste of time.

"It would be better for people to be on community sentences, so that prison is reserved for the most serious and the most dangerous."

Boosting confidence

Lord Coulsfield said Custody Plus, which combines a short jail term with supervision in the community, should be reviewed.

Such sentences had "little or no value" in deterring or reforming criminals, he argued.

The retired Scottish judge, who sat on the Lockerbie bombing trial, said a criminal sentenced to two years in prison should serve the full term rather than being released early on parole.

The review was commissioned by the group Rethinking Crime and Punishment to look at alternatives to imprisonment in England and Wales.

It came up with suggestions to boost confidence in community sentences and help reduce prison overcrowding.

Among them was forcing people given community sentences or fines to be "sent down" from the dock.

They could then immediately arrange their first payment or probation session, something which currently can take weeks.

"It could be useful and symbolic way of making the point that people subjected to a community penalty are not being 'let off'," said Lord Coulsfield.

Demand for fines

Other ideas included community panels for residents to decide what jobs should be tackled by those doing community service and a new fines system based on rates of pay.

The report also urged ministers to change the law so criminals cannot be jailed for breaching community orders or failing to pay a fine, unless the original crime merited custody.

But doubts were raised about the electronic tagging scheme, which allows non-dangerous and non-violent offenders to be released up to 135 days early.

"Lack of clarity about the true effect of sentences, for example as a result of executive release, may produce mistrust," said the report.