BBC NEWS 24 123 17 Sep 13:39/20 ************ ************** ****** * *** *** ** ************** ****** ************ ************************** FIGURES REVEAL COURTS TOUGHER ON CRIME More criminals are being sent to jail for longer stretches, according to official figures. A Government report showed that the proportion of criminals charged with serious crimes who went to jail last year was the highest in 40 years. The average jail term for 1997 - 22.5 months - also marked a 40-year high. Overall, 93,1000 offenders were sent to prison by the courts - up by 10% on figures for 1996. Headlines 101 Index 102 Latest 150 Sport 300 TV 460 Regional 500
