THE Tories were today accused of “electioneering with no real substance” and using prison staff as “political footballs.”

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said at Conservative Party conference that sexual and violent criminals sentenced to at least four years will be kept behind bars for two thirds of their sentences — rather than some being automatically released half way through.

After release, offenders would be recalled to prison if they breach tougher licence conditions.

He added: “We’re going to restore faith in the sentencing system.”

Home Secretary Priti Patel, in a speech later on in the day, said that the the party would be “coming after” criminals.

Prison Officers Association (POA) general secretary Steve Gillan told the Star that the announcement is “based on sand with no proper foundation or merit.”

He said: “This is a government that has presided over austerity cuts since 2010, turning the criminal justice system and prison service into the biggest crisis in decades.

“This announcement on prisoner sentencing will need Parliament’s approval through legislation and has clearly got resource implications for an already stretched prison service. 

“It is electioneering with no real substance and using once again the hard-working POA members as political footballs.”

Howard League for Penal Reform CEO Frances Crook said that the Tories’ “punitive rhetoric would inflate the prison population to no purpose.”

The government estimates that there would be 3,000 more men in prison if it implements the rule of serving two thirds of sentences, she added.

This would “create more crowding, violence, suicides, and put staff in danger,” Ms Crook also said.

Caroline Goodwin QC, chair of the Criminal Bar Association, said that due to lack of funding, more serious crimes do not make it to investigation or are “pushed aside as unworthy of prosecution.”

She added: “Extending minimum prison terms served for serious offences may satisfy a political desire to appear tough on crime.

“But without any serious upfront funding to tackle the surge in reporting of serious crime, the public will quickly see this as shallow rhetoric that’s soft on sustaining proper public protection from the real harm that continues unpoliced week in, week out.”