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27/02/2008
Blind Justice As Blunkett Heads TV Parole Board
The former Home Secretary, David Blunkett, will confront juvenile crime in a new TV series Channel Five is billing as a “bold social experiment”.
‘Banged Up’ will place the blind-since-birth former Labour Cabinet Member at the head of a prison Parole Board that mixes repeat offenders with young people who are at risk of lapsing into a criminal life.
Contributors will be filmed by independent producer Shine North, as they attempt to rehabilitate themselves, and will also feature testimonies from former criminals.
David Blunkett said: “With ever increasing prison numbers, with longer sentences and with a continuing disquiet about the 'revolving door' of re-offending, anything that can add to a range of measures for educating, and in creating a grasp of reality, is worth the experiment now being undertaken by Shine North in conjunction with Five."
Steve Gowans, Five's Head of Factual Entertainment and Multichannel Commissioner, added: "We're delighted to have David Blunkett's involvement and support."
He said that 'Banged Up' will air later this year and noted: "Mr Blunkett's experience and understanding in this area will be invaluable to a fascinating social experiment tackling an issue that couldn't be more relevant."
He said that he hopes the series will deal “head-on the sensitive issue of juvenile behaviour and rehabilitation.
(DS)(BMcC)
‘Banged Up’ will place the blind-since-birth former Labour Cabinet Member at the head of a prison Parole Board that mixes repeat offenders with young people who are at risk of lapsing into a criminal life.
Contributors will be filmed by independent producer Shine North, as they attempt to rehabilitate themselves, and will also feature testimonies from former criminals.
David Blunkett said: “With ever increasing prison numbers, with longer sentences and with a continuing disquiet about the 'revolving door' of re-offending, anything that can add to a range of measures for educating, and in creating a grasp of reality, is worth the experiment now being undertaken by Shine North in conjunction with Five."
Steve Gowans, Five's Head of Factual Entertainment and Multichannel Commissioner, added: "We're delighted to have David Blunkett's involvement and support."
He said that 'Banged Up' will air later this year and noted: "Mr Blunkett's experience and understanding in this area will be invaluable to a fascinating social experiment tackling an issue that couldn't be more relevant."
He said that he hopes the series will deal “head-on the sensitive issue of juvenile behaviour and rehabilitation.
(DS)(BMcC)
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Child sex juries to hear of certain previous convictions
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Eight men charged with terror offences
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Pioneering crime-busting centre to be opened in Liverpool
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Pioneering crime-busting centre to be opened in Liverpool
Liverpool is to be the location for Britain's first American-style community justice centre, Home Secretary David Blunkett has announced. The announcement came during a fact-finding visit to Merseyside by the Home Office ministerial team and senior Home Office Board members.
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