By 2009, this figure had fallen to 71.9% (Sentencing Statistics, 2009). A probable cause of the increase in the prison population and the decrease in the amount of fines imposed could be the increased severity of the government. Since the late 1990s, their goal has been to be “tough on crime and tougher on the causes of crime.” Since then, and particularly since 9/11 and events such as the 2005 London Underground bombing, the British government has become increasingly punitive (Cavadino & Dignan,