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28/01/2008
Changes In Early Release Opposed By Rights' Group
Popular support for changing the laws regulating Ulster's controversial 50% remission scheme for dangerous sex offenders and violent prisoners has cut little ice with a rights' group.
The boss of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has voiced "serious concerns" over planned legislation to replace the laws that currently free prisoners early.
Chief Commissioner Monica McWilliams said the government has "failed to provide sufficient evidence" to support the introduction of indeterminate sentencing — which could see the province's most dangerous offenders kept behind bars until they no longer pose a threat.
She added that the new scheme, included in the draft Criminal Justice Order 2007, would put pressure on the Prison Service and have a "psychological impact" on inmates.
"The Human Rights Commission remains seriously concerned over the introduction of indeterminate sentencing, given that the proposed legislation appears to be punishing prisoners for what they might do as well as what they have already done.
"Serious thought needs to be given to the possible psychological impact on prisoners who are in state custody for an indeterminate period," she said.
The Northern Ireland Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NIACRO) is also concerned about the law.
Olwen Lyner of NIACRO said it was "difficult to accept" that people could be held in prison "for offences that they may commit, as opposed to those that they have committed".
However, the Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Assemblyman Alban Maginness, said that while committee members had listened to the concerns, they were "not supportive of the views expressed."
He added: "In broad terms the committee endorsed the changes in relation to indeterminate sentencing for dangerous sex offenders and violent offenders."
The government agreed to abolish automatic 50% remission in favour of public protection sentences, similar to those in England and Wales.
This happened after 35,000 people signed up to a campaign run by the Belfast Telegraph's, called Justice For Attracta campaign, which was launched following the murder of Strabane pensioner Attracta Harron.
She was brutally murdered by violent rapist-turned-killer Trevor Hamilton after his jail release having served half of a seven year sentence for a horrific rape.
(BMcC)
The boss of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has voiced "serious concerns" over planned legislation to replace the laws that currently free prisoners early.
Chief Commissioner Monica McWilliams said the government has "failed to provide sufficient evidence" to support the introduction of indeterminate sentencing — which could see the province's most dangerous offenders kept behind bars until they no longer pose a threat.
She added that the new scheme, included in the draft Criminal Justice Order 2007, would put pressure on the Prison Service and have a "psychological impact" on inmates.
"The Human Rights Commission remains seriously concerned over the introduction of indeterminate sentencing, given that the proposed legislation appears to be punishing prisoners for what they might do as well as what they have already done.
"Serious thought needs to be given to the possible psychological impact on prisoners who are in state custody for an indeterminate period," she said.
The Northern Ireland Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NIACRO) is also concerned about the law.
Olwen Lyner of NIACRO said it was "difficult to accept" that people could be held in prison "for offences that they may commit, as opposed to those that they have committed".
However, the Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Assemblyman Alban Maginness, said that while committee members had listened to the concerns, they were "not supportive of the views expressed."
He added: "In broad terms the committee endorsed the changes in relation to indeterminate sentencing for dangerous sex offenders and violent offenders."
The government agreed to abolish automatic 50% remission in favour of public protection sentences, similar to those in England and Wales.
This happened after 35,000 people signed up to a campaign run by the Belfast Telegraph's, called Justice For Attracta campaign, which was launched following the murder of Strabane pensioner Attracta Harron.
She was brutally murdered by violent rapist-turned-killer Trevor Hamilton after his jail release having served half of a seven year sentence for a horrific rape.
(BMcC)
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10 May 2012
Prisoner Repatriation Consultation Launched
Justice Minister David Ford has today published for consultation proposals on the repatriation of foreign national prisoners before the end of their sentence. The consultation to introduce an early removal scheme for certain categories of foreign national prisoners in Northern Ireland will run until 21 June 2012.
Prisoner Repatriation Consultation Launched
Justice Minister David Ford has today published for consultation proposals on the repatriation of foreign national prisoners before the end of their sentence. The consultation to introduce an early removal scheme for certain categories of foreign national prisoners in Northern Ireland will run until 21 June 2012.
18 December 2023
Young Offenders And Female Prisoners Create Christmas Gifts
Young offenders and female prisoners at Hydebank Wood College have made over 500 items of clothing, blankets, hats, gloves and children's toys to be distributed to the less fortunate at Christmas. Since early autumn prisoners have been tirelessly knitting the items for Bangor Salvation Army to be given out at their annual carol service.
Young Offenders And Female Prisoners Create Christmas Gifts
Young offenders and female prisoners at Hydebank Wood College have made over 500 items of clothing, blankets, hats, gloves and children's toys to be distributed to the less fortunate at Christmas. Since early autumn prisoners have been tirelessly knitting the items for Bangor Salvation Army to be given out at their annual carol service.
08 November 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.
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.
01 November 2007
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.
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.
04 August 2006
Government to review management of sex offenders
The government has today announced a review into the management of sex offenders. News of the review, which will be led by the Chief Inspector of the Criminal Justice System Kit Chivers, was announced this morning after the court passed sentence on Trevor Hamilton, who murdered Strabane pensioner Attracta Harron in 2003.
Government to review management of sex offenders
The government has today announced a review into the management of sex offenders. News of the review, which will be led by the Chief Inspector of the Criminal Justice System Kit Chivers, was announced this morning after the court passed sentence on Trevor Hamilton, who murdered Strabane pensioner Attracta Harron in 2003.
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