News
Drugs in Prisons and the effect on Sentencing
With many offences, the punishment may vary according to the context of the criminality. For example, violence in a domestic context is usually treated more harshly than the same level of harm against a stranger. The same is true for drugs case, especially when it comes to drugs in prisons. Sentencing A failure to understand this basic point can result in clients being given incorrect advice...Read More
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The Parole Board and denial of guilt
You have been convicted of a crime you didn’t commit, your appeals are exhausted, and you serve time in prison. Part way through, you’re eligible for parole. So you hope finally to get out and put this behind you. The parole board give you their decision, but parole is refused, seemingly because you refuse to accept your guilt. What can you do? The Parole Board The role of the Parole Board is...Read More
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Prison and prisoners’ families
Prison is supposed to be a punishment. But it’s also designed to help people address their behaviour and stop them re-offending. When imprisonment leads to more offending, it isn’t working. The specific problems faced by women have been highlighted recently by the Farmer Review for Women. Lord Farmer hopes to improve women’s experience within the criminal justice system with the aim of...Read More
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Release on Temporary Licence
The government has conducted a review of the process for prisoners to be released on temporary licence (ROTL); the drive behind the changes being the rehabilitation of offenders. Research has shown that working in the community prior to release significantly reduces the likelihood of re-offending. Ex-offenders in employment are up to nine percentage points less likely to commit further...Read More
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Who Guards the Guards?
This perennial question was back in the news following a ministry of justice announcement that further steps would be taken to root out dishonest prison officers and others working in custodial institutions. A new counter-corruption unit will be tasked with ‘proactively pursuing those suspected of corrupt activity in prison and probation services across England and Wales.’ The unit...Read More
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Drug Detection and Prisons
The government has announced that drug detection scanners are being introduced at ten of the “most challenging” prisons. The technology will be used to detect drugs on clothes, paper and mail. It will be able to detect otherwise invisible traces of substances that have been soaked into clothes or letters in an attempt to bypass normal security. The prisons in question are part of the “10...Read More
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End of The Road for Short Prison Sentences?
The big news story of the weekend was the surprising news that the Prisons Minister, Rory Stewart, is considering whether to abolish the power to impose short prison sentences, those of 6 months or less. Arguing for the need for reform, Mr Stewart said: “You bring somebody in for three or four weeks, they lose their house, their job, their family, their reputation. “They come...Read More
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Can I get a suspended prison sentence?
A suspended sentence is a term of imprisonment that is suspended, so that you do not go into custody immediately. You will not go into custody if you comply with the conditions attached. Who can get a suspended sentence? In the Magistrates’ Court, any sentence of 6 months’ imprisonment (12 months for two or more either-way offences) or less can be suspended. In the Crown Court, any sentence of...Read More
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Name and address, date of birth, and nationality?
Since 13th November, it is now an offence to fail to tell a Magistrates Court or Crown Court your nationality. Anyone committing this offence can be sentenced to up to 6 months imprisonment; the same as for offences such as common assault, assaulting a police officer and driving whilst disqualified. The maximum sentence is twice as long as the maximum sentence for criminal damage with a value...Read More
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