The sentencing of our criminals is an issue that everyone has a strong view on.

Almost all of us will, at some point, have reacted strongly to what we perceive to be a weak sentence for a criminal offence.

That can sometimes be a justifiable unease about a particular case. But it is also likely to be as often as not a reaction without knowing the full circumstances of the case and the offender.

Which is why the Magistrates’ Association and the Probation Association have teamed up for a Local Crime: Community Sentence (LCCS) event, to be hosted by the Telegraph & Argus next month.

It is intended to give attendees a different perspective into the way offenders are dealt with.

And the probation service believes that after hearing more about alternative sentencing for offenders, and about the offenders’ own circumstances, many people will have a different view on what sentence should be passed.

While there is no doubt that a strong punitive element needs to be involved in sentencing to deter potential offenders, there is some evidence that alternative sentences offered by the local probation service are reducing reoffending.

And the other advantage of non-custodial sentences, such as the community payback contracts which West Yorkshire Probation Service is increasingly using, is that the offender does actually put something back into society when completing them.

The LCCS event should give anyone who is interested a real insight into the work of those involved in the justice process.

It might not change anyone’s mind about the sentencing process, but at least anyone who attends will have a lot more information on which to base their opinion.