Home Secretary Jack Straw outlined plans to deter hardcore criminals from reoffending on a visit to Sussex yesterday.

Speaking at the Justice Clerk's Society's annual conference at the Grand Hotel in Eastbourne, Mr Straw spelt out his determination to enforce a more effective sentencing regime for offenders.

Plans include using short prison terms followed by a community programme in an effort to tackle the root causes of crime. Offenders could be thrown back in jail if they reneged on the deal.

Mr Straw said: "This would provide a means of tackling the causes of the offender's criminality with a clear message about non-compliance - stay straight or go back to prison."

He added: "The focus within our current framework is rather on the punishment fitting the crime. Of course this is important - sentences need to be proportionate and to reflect the gravity of the crime before the court. But I do not believe this should be the only factor. Our aim has to be to make punishment work, to fit the criminal as well as the crime.

"What use is a punishment commensurate with the seriousness of the offence if it does nothing to reduce the risk of the offender offending again?"

More than 40,000 prisoners serving less than one year were released with no follow up supervision or support.

Mr Straw said often they have no job, no family ties and no support, leaving them open to the temptation of returning to crime with 60 per cent of short sentence offenders reconvicting within two years of discharge.

He said: "A key priority for any reform of our sentencing framework must surely be to put an end to this revolving door pattern of conviction and reconviction."