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08/11/2007
Law Will Outlaw Automatic 50% Remission
The much-debated 50% remission available to Ulster prisoners is to no longer apply to violent criminals and sex offenders.
Those jailed in Northern Ireland should now face longer jail sentences under new legislation being introduced at Westminster.
The current entitlement to automatic remission of half the sentence handed down on prosecution is being done away with so that judges will be able to keep dangerous criminals behind bars indefinitely.
Electronic tagging and curfews will also be brought in for less serious offenders.
The Criminal Justice (NI) Order – said to be the most comprehensive piece of legislation to be introduced into Northern Ireland in a generation – will also strengthen the law in relation to knife crime, road traffic powers and confront anti-social behaviour with new measures to stop drinking in public.
Criminal Justice Minister, Paul Goggins, said the new proposals amount to a complete overhaul of the sentencing system.
“Protection of the public is my top priority and has been central to the development of these proposals.
“This legislation will introduce new public protection sentences and will restructure the existing sentencing framework, bringing an end to automatic 50% remission for all sentenced prisoners.
“Under the new public protection sentences, those dangerous violent and sexual offenders who pose the greatest risk will spend longer in prison and will only be released when it is considered safe.
“The judge will decide the minimum term to be served; the new independent Parole Commissioners will decide when the time is right for the offender to return to the community.
“We have listened to public concern about the current arrangements for custody and have decided to make further radical changes.
“All offenders who have committed crimes serious enough to merit prison will serve a set period of time in custody followed by close supervision in the community under strict conditions.
“Both parts of the sentence will be served in full without remission and if the offender breaches the community conditions he can be sent back to prison.”
As part of the overall approach to restructuring and modernising the sentencing framework, the proposals also include the extension of curfews and the introduction of electronic monitoring to provide effective monitoring of curfew compliance.
Paul Goggins said: “I believe these proposals will strengthen the existing multi-agency arrangements for dealing with dangerous offenders and provide a comprehensive response to community concerns about sentencing and release from prison.
“These are very important issues and I look forward to hearing the views of all interested parties during the statutory consultation period,” he concluded.
The consultation will run until 31 January 2008.
(BMcC)
Those jailed in Northern Ireland should now face longer jail sentences under new legislation being introduced at Westminster.
The current entitlement to automatic remission of half the sentence handed down on prosecution is being done away with so that judges will be able to keep dangerous criminals behind bars indefinitely.
Electronic tagging and curfews will also be brought in for less serious offenders.
The Criminal Justice (NI) Order – said to be the most comprehensive piece of legislation to be introduced into Northern Ireland in a generation – will also strengthen the law in relation to knife crime, road traffic powers and confront anti-social behaviour with new measures to stop drinking in public.
Criminal Justice Minister, Paul Goggins, said the new proposals amount to a complete overhaul of the sentencing system.
“Protection of the public is my top priority and has been central to the development of these proposals.
“This legislation will introduce new public protection sentences and will restructure the existing sentencing framework, bringing an end to automatic 50% remission for all sentenced prisoners.
“Under the new public protection sentences, those dangerous violent and sexual offenders who pose the greatest risk will spend longer in prison and will only be released when it is considered safe.
“The judge will decide the minimum term to be served; the new independent Parole Commissioners will decide when the time is right for the offender to return to the community.
“We have listened to public concern about the current arrangements for custody and have decided to make further radical changes.
“All offenders who have committed crimes serious enough to merit prison will serve a set period of time in custody followed by close supervision in the community under strict conditions.
“Both parts of the sentence will be served in full without remission and if the offender breaches the community conditions he can be sent back to prison.”
As part of the overall approach to restructuring and modernising the sentencing framework, the proposals also include the extension of curfews and the introduction of electronic monitoring to provide effective monitoring of curfew compliance.
Paul Goggins said: “I believe these proposals will strengthen the existing multi-agency arrangements for dealing with dangerous offenders and provide a comprehensive response to community concerns about sentencing and release from prison.
“These are very important issues and I look forward to hearing the views of all interested parties during the statutory consultation period,” he concluded.
The consultation will run until 31 January 2008.
(BMcC)
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Most Sex Offenders Will Still Get 50% Remission
Campaigners will be aghast that eight out of 10 sex offenders will still not come under tough new legislation that was supposed to bring an end to automatic 50% remission.
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Consultation Begins On NI's Sentencing Policy
The Department of Justice has launched a public consultation on sentencing policy in Northern Ireland. Members of the public are encouraged to give their views on issues raised in a recent review, such as tariffs for murder, arrangements for unduly lenient sentences and public confidence in the sentencing process.
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