7,000 jailed over fines despite new laws

ALMOST 7,000 people were jailed last year for non-payment of court fines — despite legislation to provide alternatives to imprisonment being signed into law eight months ago.

It is understood the Fines Bill 2010, welcomed by all agencies as urgent and necessary, has still not been fully implemented.

A likely reason is that no provision has been made to facilitate the payment of fines by instalment.