The relationship between public understanding of sentencing and public confidence in the criminal justice system is far from straightforward. Simplistic causal claims should be avoided. Our overall conclusion is that everyone involved in, or responsible for, the criminal justice system needs to take the duty to ensure public confidence extremely seriously. Politicians from all parties must ensure that public commentary on the criminal justice system does not contribute to misunderstandings that can damage public confidence. In terms of public policy, stripping away unnecessary complexity in sentencing must also be prioritised to facilitate improved public 60 Public opinion and understanding of sentencing debate. Improvements to open justice, such as the broadcasting of sentencing remarks, need to be built upon, including through some of the recommendations outlined in this report. Even if it is not possible to say that direct contact with, or information about, the criminal justice system will necessarily lead to improved confidence, it is undoubtedly a public good to encourage more of the public to know about the justice which is done in their name.