Menu
13/10/2005
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.
Prisoners would be released under a curfew and electronic tag, in addition to the automatic release halfway through all sentences of less than four years.
The plans have been criticised by both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, although the Prison Reform Trust and Prison Governors Association welcomed the plans.
A Home Office spokesperson said that the proposal was one of several options being considered to tackle the problem of prison over-crowding in the UK. The spokesperson said that the Home Office was “monitoring the situation closely” and stressed that no decisions had yet been taken.
It is understood that around half of the 70,000 prisoners sentenced each year to less than four years in jail for offences such as burglary, fraud and theft could be eligible for the scheme. Sex and violent offenders would not be eligible. Currently, it is estimated that 90% of those released with electronic tags do not re-offend.
The announcement of the plans follows the revelation that jails in England and Wales are almost full to capacity. The prison population has now risen to a record figure of 77,599.
‘The Times’ reported that the crisis is now so serious that 174 prisoners had to be held in police cells, because there were no spaces in prisons in London and the West Midlands.
Charles Bushell, General Secretary of the Prison Governors Association said that the extension of electronic tagging would help ease the crisis, at least initially.
Juliet Lyon, Director of the Prison Reform Trust, also agreed that a tagging extension could help ease overcrowding, but stressed that proper supervision was needed. Ms Lyon said: “The solution to this crisis and many others lie outside prison walls in drug treatment, mental health care, cutting unnecessary remands and recalls to jail and community service for offenders.”
However, Shadow Home Secretary David Davis told the BBC that prisons overcrowding was a “result of bad planning” and said that the only solution was to build more prisons.
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesperson Mark Oaten said: “After eight years in government, Labour’s prison policy is in tatters. It began with tough sounding measures and locking more people up, but now the prisons are full, they are going to release people early.
“It is a total mess. The length of sentences should be set to punish and rehabilitate, not as panic measure when prisons become overcrowded.”
(KMcA/SP)
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.
Prisoners would be released under a curfew and electronic tag, in addition to the automatic release halfway through all sentences of less than four years.
The plans have been criticised by both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, although the Prison Reform Trust and Prison Governors Association welcomed the plans.
A Home Office spokesperson said that the proposal was one of several options being considered to tackle the problem of prison over-crowding in the UK. The spokesperson said that the Home Office was “monitoring the situation closely” and stressed that no decisions had yet been taken.
It is understood that around half of the 70,000 prisoners sentenced each year to less than four years in jail for offences such as burglary, fraud and theft could be eligible for the scheme. Sex and violent offenders would not be eligible. Currently, it is estimated that 90% of those released with electronic tags do not re-offend.
The announcement of the plans follows the revelation that jails in England and Wales are almost full to capacity. The prison population has now risen to a record figure of 77,599.
‘The Times’ reported that the crisis is now so serious that 174 prisoners had to be held in police cells, because there were no spaces in prisons in London and the West Midlands.
Charles Bushell, General Secretary of the Prison Governors Association said that the extension of electronic tagging would help ease the crisis, at least initially.
Juliet Lyon, Director of the Prison Reform Trust, also agreed that a tagging extension could help ease overcrowding, but stressed that proper supervision was needed. Ms Lyon said: “The solution to this crisis and many others lie outside prison walls in drug treatment, mental health care, cutting unnecessary remands and recalls to jail and community service for offenders.”
However, Shadow Home Secretary David Davis told the BBC that prisons overcrowding was a “result of bad planning” and said that the only solution was to build more prisons.
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesperson Mark Oaten said: “After eight years in government, Labour’s prison policy is in tatters. It began with tough sounding measures and locking more people up, but now the prisons are full, they are going to release people early.
“It is a total mess. The length of sentences should be set to punish and rehabilitate, not as panic measure when prisons become overcrowded.”
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
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.
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.
28 May 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.
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.
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.
11 April 2012
MPs Call On Home Office To Take Direct Responsibility For Borders Agency
In the Home Affairs Committee's third report of the year into the Work of the UK Border Agency, it criticises the 'Agency' for failing to deport more than 600 Foreign National Prisoners who were released between 1999 and 2006 are still in the country and for failing to clear the ever increasing "controlled archive".
MPs Call On Home Office To Take Direct Responsibility For Borders Agency
In the Home Affairs Committee's third report of the year into the Work of the UK Border Agency, it criticises the 'Agency' for failing to deport more than 600 Foreign National Prisoners who were released between 1999 and 2006 are still in the country and for failing to clear the ever increasing "controlled archive".
-
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.
