Prisoners To Be Released After Serving Just 43% of Sentence
Criminals could be released from prison after serving only 43% of their sentence under proposals contained in the Sentencing Bill, Guido hears. Currently, under the Criminal Justice Act 2003, prisoners serving what are termed “standard determinate sentences” are automatically released after serving 50% of their sentence. Issues such as overcrowding are pressuring ministers to make it even earlier…
Officials warned that if the legislation isn’t passed by June, it could spark riots and leave prison vans with nowhere to take criminals. Guido is told No10 remain fearful of backlash from the right of the parliamentary party. Meanwhile, proposals to effectively scrap prison sentences of less than 12 months have been dropped. Gareth Bacon, the Bill Minister, is credited by government insiders with getting the shorter prison times over the line. As leadership contenders circle this is tinderbox stuff for Sunak…
