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28/05/2004
Blunkett slammed over offenders tracking proposals
The Tories have slammed David Blunkett as a "man without ideas" after the Home Secretary unveiled plans to step up the use of electronic tagging, satellite tracking and lie detectors in an attempt to keep track of sex offenders released from jail.
Mr Blunkett said today the police and probation officers would use the technology to track convicts given community sentences or released on licence, while lie detectors would ensure that offenders kept to their release conditions.
However, Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said that there may be "sensible reasons" for tagging, but tagged prisoners should not be let out of jail earlier, "simply to free up space in our overcrowded prisons".
He added: "This decision by the Home Secretary is a last minute response from a man who has run out of ideas and whose prisons are at crisis point. What kind of message does this send out to criminals as well as the victims of crime?"
Criticising Mr Blunkett for failing to build new prisons when existing institutions are "absolutely full", Mr Davis added: "It is right to look at lie detector tests and electronic tagging, but technology is never fool-proof and should not be used just to ease the pressure on our prisons. The risks should be looked at closely and public safety must always remain our number one priority."
Commenting on the government’s plans, Lib Dem Shadow Home Affairs Secretary Mark Oaten said: "We support the use of tagging and satellite tracking as a sensible use of technology which will reassure the public.
"The use of lie detectors is more problematic, and the LDs will need further convincing that the technology is safe and reliable."
(gmcg)
Mr Blunkett said today the police and probation officers would use the technology to track convicts given community sentences or released on licence, while lie detectors would ensure that offenders kept to their release conditions.
However, Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said that there may be "sensible reasons" for tagging, but tagged prisoners should not be let out of jail earlier, "simply to free up space in our overcrowded prisons".
He added: "This decision by the Home Secretary is a last minute response from a man who has run out of ideas and whose prisons are at crisis point. What kind of message does this send out to criminals as well as the victims of crime?"
Criticising Mr Blunkett for failing to build new prisons when existing institutions are "absolutely full", Mr Davis added: "It is right to look at lie detector tests and electronic tagging, but technology is never fool-proof and should not be used just to ease the pressure on our prisons. The risks should be looked at closely and public safety must always remain our number one priority."
Commenting on the government’s plans, Lib Dem Shadow Home Affairs Secretary Mark Oaten said: "We support the use of tagging and satellite tracking as a sensible use of technology which will reassure the public.
"The use of lie detectors is more problematic, and the LDs will need further convincing that the technology is safe and reliable."
(gmcg)
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13 October 2005
Prisoner early release plan criticised
Home Office plans to release prisoners early under an electronic tagging scheme have sparked controversy. Under the plans, criminals sentenced to four years in prisons could be released after 18 months, while a two-year sentence would involve just six months in jail.
Prisoner early release plan criticised
Home Office plans to release prisoners early under an electronic tagging scheme have sparked controversy. Under the plans, criminals sentenced to four years in prisons could be released after 18 months, while a two-year sentence would involve just six months in jail.
08 May 2006
Number of offenders rise in deportation cases
The number of offenders who committed serious offences after being released from prison without being considered for deportation is at least 150, new Home Secretary John Reid has revealed.
Number of offenders rise in deportation cases
The number of offenders who committed serious offences after being released from prison without being considered for deportation is at least 150, new Home Secretary John Reid has revealed.
12 October 2006
Tagged prisoners on crime spree
Prisoners released from jail early and placed under tagging scheme have committed over 1,000 crimes. According to the figures obtained by the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) these include one murder, four manslaughters, over 700 assaults and hundreds of other crimes recorded since 1999.
Tagged prisoners on crime spree
Prisoners released from jail early and placed under tagging scheme have committed over 1,000 crimes. According to the figures obtained by the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) these include one murder, four manslaughters, over 700 assaults and hundreds of other crimes recorded since 1999.
27 April 2006
Minister denies Cabinet 'meltdown'
Work and Pensions Secretary John Hutton has stressed that the government is not in "meltdown" after a series of controversies hit several Cabinet ministers this week.
Minister denies Cabinet 'meltdown'
Work and Pensions Secretary John Hutton has stressed that the government is not in "meltdown" after a series of controversies hit several Cabinet ministers this week.
25 April 2006
Foreign prisoners escape deportation
More than 1,000 foreign prisoners have been released in the UK instead of being deported, Home Office figures have shown. The number includes three murderers and nine rapists, as well as five people convicted of committing sex offences on children, seven convicted for other sex offences, 57 for violent offences and two for manslaughter.
Foreign prisoners escape deportation
More than 1,000 foreign prisoners have been released in the UK instead of being deported, Home Office figures have shown. The number includes three murderers and nine rapists, as well as five people convicted of committing sex offences on children, seven convicted for other sex offences, 57 for violent offences and two for manslaughter.
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