The government's controversial US-style "three-strikes-and-you're-out" policy for persistent burglars comes into effect today.
From now on, burglars convicted of breaking into private homes three times will be sentenced to a minimum of three years in jail.
The measure, which was first introduced by the Conservatives, is implemented by the home secretary Jack Straw. It is expected to swell the prison population by 4,000-5,000 over the next ten years.
Rapists and drug traffickers who repeat their offence will also be subject to minimum sentences.
At the moment burglars convicted for a third time can expect a sentence of around 19 months. But one fifth are not sent to jail.
Home secretary Jack Straw said: "Burglary is a sickening crime and having one's home violated by an intruder can be a terrifying experience. I am determined to ensure that the courts have at their disposal the power to deal with persistent burglars. People need to know that criminals who make a living from housebreaking will face a period of imprisonment which reflects their crime."
However, the measure has come under fire from penal reformers who claim the money spent locking up offenders would be more effective in cutting crime if spent on crime prevention measures.
The National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders said the minimum sentences were "crude and unjust".
Director Paul Cavadino stated: "Repeat burglars range from persistent professional offenders to inadequate young people, whose amateurish burglary attempts arise from problems which would best be tackled by intensive probation programmes. Courts should be able to choose sentences which fit the varying circumstances of each case."
He added many burglaries were committed to feeding a drug habit and it would be more effective to sentence them to treatment programmes than jail.
The law setting out the three strikes policy also requires courts to:
impose life sentences on criminals convicted of serious offences such as rape for a second time.
impose a minimum seven-year term for repeat drug traffickers.
From today, courts will also have the power to impose curfew sentences on offenders. The curfews will be monitored by electronic tagging and are expected to be used for a range of offenders.
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