Menu
14/11/2006
Payout for addict prisoners forced to go 'cold turkey'
A group of former prisoners who were forced to stop taking drugs in prison by going 'cold turkey' have been awarded £750,000.
The High Court approved the damages for 197 prisoners and former inmates, who had claimed that being forced to go 'cold turkey' was a breach of their human rights.
The Home Office had settled a test case involving six men on Monday in order to minimise courts. All 197 are expected to receive around £3,750 in compensation and it is understood that most of the group have agreed to the settlement.
Speaking in court, Richard Herner, who appealed on behalf of the six test case inmates, said that the Home Office had now admitted that its policy on drug-dependent prisoners was unlawful. He said that this "inevitably means that such a policy must be changed with immediate effect."
Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said that the case set a "disastrous" precedent and was a "massive failure of political nerve" on the part of Home Secretary John Reid, as well as a massive failure in his core duty to protect the public.
(KMcA)
The High Court approved the damages for 197 prisoners and former inmates, who had claimed that being forced to go 'cold turkey' was a breach of their human rights.
The Home Office had settled a test case involving six men on Monday in order to minimise courts. All 197 are expected to receive around £3,750 in compensation and it is understood that most of the group have agreed to the settlement.
Speaking in court, Richard Herner, who appealed on behalf of the six test case inmates, said that the Home Office had now admitted that its policy on drug-dependent prisoners was unlawful. He said that this "inevitably means that such a policy must be changed with immediate effect."
Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said that the case set a "disastrous" precedent and was a "massive failure of political nerve" on the part of Home Secretary John Reid, as well as a massive failure in his core duty to protect the public.
(KMcA)
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.
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.
06 December 2005
Court case baby makes first visit home
Severely disabled Charlotte Wyatt has been allowed home from the hospital for the first time since she was born two years ago. Charlotte’s father, Darren Wyatt, collected her from St Mary’s hospital in Portsmouth today to take her home for a brief visit with her mother, Debbie. Two members of staff from the hospital supervised the visit.
Court case baby makes first visit home
Severely disabled Charlotte Wyatt has been allowed home from the hospital for the first time since she was born two years ago. Charlotte’s father, Darren Wyatt, collected her from St Mary’s hospital in Portsmouth today to take her home for a brief visit with her mother, Debbie. Two members of staff from the hospital supervised the visit.
27 July 2010
Starved Girl's Death 'Preventable'
The death of a seven-year-old girl who starved to death at her home in Birmingham could have been prevented, a report has found. A Serious Case Review into the death of Khyra Ishaq identified several missed opportunities by professional agencies to intervene in her case, which could have saved her life.
Starved Girl's Death 'Preventable'
The death of a seven-year-old girl who starved to death at her home in Birmingham could have been prevented, a report has found. A Serious Case Review into the death of Khyra Ishaq identified several missed opportunities by professional agencies to intervene in her case, which could have saved her life.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Dry and bright start but scattered showers soon developing in the west. These showers will become heavy and possibly thundery by afternoon, gradually extending eastwards later. Maximum temperature 22 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with any lingering showers soon dying out. Then a few clearer spells possible before low cloud spreads in through the early hours, with coastal fog in places. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
