Menu
01/11/2007
Most Sex Offenders Will Still Get 50% Remission
Campaigners will be aghast that eight out of 10 sex offenders will still not come under tough new legislation that was supposed to bring an end to automatic 50% remission.
According to information obtained from the NIO, the Government has projected that up to 90 sex offenders and violent criminals each year could be subject to the new public protection sentences which are due to replace automatic 50% remission next spring.
This means that should the number or prisoners sentenced remain at the same level as last year (around 1,300), 93% of prisoners overall will still be entitled to walk free halfway through their jail term.
Only the remaining seven per cent could receive one of the new indeterminate or extended sentences designed for public protection.
They will have to go before a parole commission and demonstrate that they no longer pose a risk to the public before being released on licence.
Included in the NIO's projected figures are an estimated 15 serious sex offenders who could be subject to the new sentencing law.
According to the body that assesses and manages sex offenders in Ulster - the Multi-Agency Procedures for Assessment and Management of Sex Offenders (MASRAM) - there are around 80 sex offenders committed to prison each year. Therefore, using these figures, 80% of sex offenders will still walk free halfway through their sentence.
While an MP today said he was concerned by the news that such a large majority of offenders are still going to be released half way through their sentence, the Government has insisted that anyone who poses a serious risk to the public will not be released from jail until that threat is reduced.
The Government vowed to scrap automatic 50% remission for dangerous offenders following a campaign launched after rapist-turned-killer Trevor Hamilton murdered Strabane pensioner Attracta Harron just days after he was released from jail - halfway through a seven-year sentence for rape.
Despite promising to change the law the Government has been slow in introducing the new legislation with officials keen to ensure that the prison crisis that hit England and Wales following the introduction of similar sentencing policy is not replicated here.
DUP MP Nigel Dodds hopes external factors, such as fear of prison overcrowding, will not influence the number of people kept behind bars indefinitely.
"I am concerned that it appears a large number of offenders are still going to be released under 50% remission, however we have been reassured that those who pose a risk to the public will be jailed indefinitely.
"But people need reassurances that issues such as cost and overcrowding in our prisons will not influence the decision on whether or not to hand down a public protection sentence."
Criminal Justice Minister Paul Goggins said he was content that for the foreseeable future there are enough spaces in our jails to accommodate prisoners who will come under the new sentencing legislation.
(BMcC)
According to information obtained from the NIO, the Government has projected that up to 90 sex offenders and violent criminals each year could be subject to the new public protection sentences which are due to replace automatic 50% remission next spring.
This means that should the number or prisoners sentenced remain at the same level as last year (around 1,300), 93% of prisoners overall will still be entitled to walk free halfway through their jail term.
Only the remaining seven per cent could receive one of the new indeterminate or extended sentences designed for public protection.
They will have to go before a parole commission and demonstrate that they no longer pose a risk to the public before being released on licence.
Included in the NIO's projected figures are an estimated 15 serious sex offenders who could be subject to the new sentencing law.
According to the body that assesses and manages sex offenders in Ulster - the Multi-Agency Procedures for Assessment and Management of Sex Offenders (MASRAM) - there are around 80 sex offenders committed to prison each year. Therefore, using these figures, 80% of sex offenders will still walk free halfway through their sentence.
While an MP today said he was concerned by the news that such a large majority of offenders are still going to be released half way through their sentence, the Government has insisted that anyone who poses a serious risk to the public will not be released from jail until that threat is reduced.
The Government vowed to scrap automatic 50% remission for dangerous offenders following a campaign launched after rapist-turned-killer Trevor Hamilton murdered Strabane pensioner Attracta Harron just days after he was released from jail - halfway through a seven-year sentence for rape.
Despite promising to change the law the Government has been slow in introducing the new legislation with officials keen to ensure that the prison crisis that hit England and Wales following the introduction of similar sentencing policy is not replicated here.
DUP MP Nigel Dodds hopes external factors, such as fear of prison overcrowding, will not influence the number of people kept behind bars indefinitely.
"I am concerned that it appears a large number of offenders are still going to be released under 50% remission, however we have been reassured that those who pose a risk to the public will be jailed indefinitely.
"But people need reassurances that issues such as cost and overcrowding in our prisons will not influence the decision on whether or not to hand down a public protection sentence."
Criminal Justice Minister Paul Goggins said he was content that for the foreseeable future there are enough spaces in our jails to accommodate prisoners who will come under the new sentencing legislation.
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 June 2005
New sex offender procedures revealed
New procedures for assessing and managing sex offenders posing a risk to the public in Northern Ireland have now been established, a new report has said. The report, by the Northern Ireland Sex Offender Strategic Management Committee (NISOSMC), revealed that the number of registered sex offenders in Northern Ireland on 31 March 2005 was 544.
New sex offender procedures revealed
New procedures for assessing and managing sex offenders posing a risk to the public in Northern Ireland have now been established, a new report has said. The report, by the Northern Ireland Sex Offender Strategic Management Committee (NISOSMC), revealed that the number of registered sex offenders in Northern Ireland on 31 March 2005 was 544.
20 December 2022
Two Men Jailed For 18 years For Number Of Sexual Offences
Two men have been jailed for a total of 18 years at Laganside Crown Court for a number of offences including rape and indecent assault. Dennis Allen, aged 48, was sentenced to 14 years and will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.
Two Men Jailed For 18 years For Number Of Sexual Offences
Two men have been jailed for a total of 18 years at Laganside Crown Court for a number of offences including rape and indecent assault. Dennis Allen, aged 48, was sentenced to 14 years and will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.
25 January 2010
Sex Attack Victims 'Under Age'
Over half of victims of sex crime in Northern Ireland are under 18. That's according to PSNI figures that show 56% of all victims of reported sex abuse – including rape, indecent assault and indecent exposure – between 2008 and 2009 were under 18, with an average of three sex offences against children recorded every day.
Sex Attack Victims 'Under Age'
Over half of victims of sex crime in Northern Ireland are under 18. That's according to PSNI figures that show 56% of all victims of reported sex abuse – including rape, indecent assault and indecent exposure – between 2008 and 2009 were under 18, with an average of three sex offences against children recorded every day.
29 July 2009
Tagging Mooted As Sex Offender Caught
A convicted sex offender who was detained in the Republic yesterday - after he went missing while on probation in Northern Ireland - has been returned north and into custody.
Tagging Mooted As Sex Offender Caught
A convicted sex offender who was detained in the Republic yesterday - after he went missing while on probation in Northern Ireland - has been returned north and into custody.
05 September 2008
Sex Offenders On Ministerial Agenda
Amid high level discussions on the devolution of policing and justice to the Stormont Assembly, associated matters are already being routinely reviewed by MLAs.
Sex Offenders On Ministerial Agenda
Amid high level discussions on the devolution of policing and justice to the Stormont Assembly, associated matters are already being routinely reviewed by MLAs.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
