The Police Minister has expressed interest in locking up criminals for longer in a bid to cut down on reoffending.

Criminals that serve five years or more in jail are generally less likely to reoffend, according to new reports.

Mark Mitchell says he's asked Corrections to examine whether shorter sentences can be extended.

"Longer sentences normally mean the people commit to their rehabilitation better, engage in more rehabilitation, and are therefore less risk to the community when they come out." 

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