Murder sentences - Review of early release necessary

The opinion expressed by Parole Board chairman Gordon Holmes in relation to prison sentences for murder would be echoed by most people concerned at the seemingly upward curve of the crime graph.

The same people would be surprised to hear that nowadays the average sentence served for murder is 17 years, because the public perception is that it is considerably shorter.

Mr Holmes, a solicitor as well as chairman of the Parole Board, is well acquainted with the prison regime and his views should carry considerable weight.

He is advocating a double-digit period - 12 or 13 years - as a minimum sentence for those convicted of murder and, importantly, that the question of early release should not arise until that minimum time is served.

Despite the fact that he asserts early release for convicted murderers is a complete myth, what contributes to the public belief that it is otherwise stems from the current procedure whereby they are entitled to apply for it after only seven-and-a-half years.

As far as the public is concerned, a person has barely started a murder sentence when the procedure for their release commences.

What is needed is a regime which sends a very clear message to potential serious criminals that the sentence will fit the crime and that it will be served.

Reviewing a murder sentence after only seven-and-a-half years should be scrapped in favour of the parole board chairman’s proposed double-digit minimum, and a prisoner’s readiness for release at that stage should be a crucial factor.