Tories plan 'end to early jail release' (From The Argus)

Tories plan 'end to early jail release'

10:01am Wednesday 1st October 2008

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Prisoners would have to earn the right to parole after serving a set minimum sentence under Tory plans announced by Sussex MP Nick Herbert yesterday.

Mr Herbert, shadow justice secretary and MP for Arundel and South Downs, said more than 80% of prisoners were currently released after serving just half their sentence.

He told the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham that a Tory administration would seek to introduce “honesty” in sentencing by scrapping automatic early release for those on fixed-term sentences – a “deception” of the public which damaged confidence in justice and betrayed victims of crime.

Mr Herbert said early release would be replaced by a scheme under which inmates would have to “earn” their freedom through good behaviour, gaining skills and passing drug tests.

“Courts will set a minimum and a maximum term. Every prisoner will serve the minimum term with no possibility of parole.

If they abide by the rules, comply with rehabilitation programmes to acquire basic skills, and show themselves fit for the outside world, then they’ll be released.

“If they don’t, they’ll stay in jail, if necessary up to the maximum term. Those who are least willing will spend the longest in custody.

If offenders fail to comply with conditions once they are released, they will be recalled to jail.”

Mr Herbert added: “Conditional release will completely change the incentives which prisoners have to engage in rehabilitation.

They will transform the ability of governors to manage jails. They will help to restore confidence in the criminal justice system. And they will be an important component of our radical programme to reform prisons, reduce re-offending, and make Britain safer.”

The shadow minister was yesterday backed by would-be Tory MPs in Brighton and Hove.

Mike Weatherley, who will contest the Hove seat at the next general election, told The Argus: “We believe in introducing a huge number of additional drug rehabilitation places and building more prisons.

“But we also believe in people serving the sentences imposed on them. With minimum sentences there is more transparency and people know what they are going to get.”

The party’s Brighton Kemptown contender, Simon Kirby, said: “We need appropriate sentences for the crime. We also need to reduce reoffending and remove people from the criminal cycle.”

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