Sentencing crackdown ends automatic 50% remission

Automatic 50% remission for prisoners in the North is to end under tough new sentencing measures proposed by the British government today.

Those committing the most serious offences could be given an indeterminate sentence, which means they stay behind bars until they die.

The tough new measures reflected views expressed during extensive British government consultation over the past year and, it said, provided the North with a strong, progressive and balanced sentencing framework to deliver public protection, deterrence, punishment and rehabilitation.

Under the measures the most dangerous sexual and violent offenders could be detained in custody for the full term of their sentence with those committing the most serious offences given an indeterminate sentence with any release determined by an independent body similar to the parole board in England and Wales.

Electronic tagging for non-violent criminals, drug-testing and treatment for those involved in non-violent crime caused by drug addiction and community service orders for fine defaulters are also being introduced.

For more serious crimes two new sentencing measures are being introduced.

For crimes carrying a sentence of less than 10 years offenders will serve their full sentence unless the parole board considers it safe to release them early. The prisoner would not be able to apply to the board until he had served at least half of the sentence.

For the most serious violent and sexual crimes carrying sentences of more than 10 years the prisoner would get a term of detention of more than 10 years but could be kept behind bars well after the sentence was completed if it was considered the public would be at risk through release.

Criminal Justice Minister David Hanson said: “Protection of the public is the first duty of the criminal justice system.

“Having consulted extensively and listened to the views and concerns of the public in relation to sentencing, I have decided to introduce measures which will in future end the practice of 50% automatic remission for all offenders.”

Public-protection measures will form the cornerstone of the new sentencing framework for the North.

“The government will introduce extended and indeterminate public-protection sentences for dangerous sexual and violent offenders.

"Under these new arrangements dangerous sexual and violent offenders could be detained in custody for the full term of their prison sentence while those committing the most serious offences would remain in prison for an indefinite period.”

He said release decisions would be made by the independent body on the basis of a full risk assessment.

If released, such offenders would then become subject to extended community supervision under stringent licence conditions which, if breached, could result in their immediate recall to custody he said.

The revised framework will also see the introduction of compulsory post-release supervision for all prisoners.

Mr Hanson said: “Under this new sentence the courts would determine the period to be spent in custody, which must then be completed in full without remission, before the offender is released under licence.

“They will then serve the remainder of their sentence under supervision in the community. A system of electronic monitoring will also be introduced to assist in verifying offenders’ compliance with specific conditions imposed on them.”

Mr Hanson said that for many low risk offenders imprisonment was not necessarily the most effective punishment and for them, viable alternatives to custody, such as unpaid work in the community, would be considered.

British government officials believe the new measures will cost some £10m (€14.8m) a year to implement but will be negative in terms of any effect on the prison population. While violent criminals would spend longer behind bars, other, less violent criminals would not be jailed at all.