Latest news with #IndependentSentencingReview
ITV News
01-07-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Prisons minister: Legislation to ban most short sentences due 'imminently'
ITV News Social Affairs Correspondent Sarah Corker sat down with Lord Timpson. Words by Senior Politics Producer Lili Donlon-Mansbridge The prisons minister has told ITV News that short sentences are a "disaster" for female prisoners, and that his government's reforms to women's justice will be "radical". Lord Timpson confirmed the government will introduce legislation to ban short sentences, apart from in specific circumstances. When asked when the legislation would enter the House of Commons, the prisons minister said it was coming "imminently". "What's been really clear in the David Gauke review into sentencing is the majority of the recommendations there, I think, are absolutely the right thing. So we've obviously got to go through the legislation process," he told ITV News. "What is really clear is that we need to make sure that we resolve the prison crisis, but we also make sure that people can be punished effectively outside of prison," he said. The Independent Sentencing Review, chaired by Former Justice Secretary David Gauke, recommend the number of criminals being given short prison sentences be reduced, in favour of community-based punishments, including electronic tagging. Lord Timpson told ITV News that in lots of cases short sentences are a "disaster", particularly for female offenders. Last year, the Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood outlined the government's plans for women's justice, including setting an ultimate ambition of closing a women's prison entirely. "For a lot of women, being in prison on short sentences is a disaster. Their children are taken into care and they lose their house, their job. "So what we need to make sure is that we have really robust community punishments that work," Timpson said. Lord Timpson spoke about how his own personal experience growing up with a mum who fostered children of women who were in prison showed him the vulnerability of women in prison. "My mum was a foster carer and lots of the children who came to live with us, especially babies, they came to us because their mums were in prison. "And then when their mums came out of prison, they often came to our house for day business and stuff. "And what was really clear, even from when I was a teenager, that a lot of these women are very ill. And I still believe that a lot of the women who are in prison are very ill. "I can give you lots of facts - 55% of women in the justice system have drug addiction issues... Around 50% of women in prison have brain injuries, often as a result of domestic abuse. So we're dealing with some very, very complex people and often some very ill people." The minister said he still believes women's justice needs radical reform, and that the Women's Justice Board, an expert panel commissioned by the government to overhaul how female offenders are treated, will implement "radical" changes. "I came into this job to sort out all the problems I've been seeing for the last 20 years. It needs radical change, but it also needs to follow the evidence," he said. ITV News were the first journalists ever to enter the Mother and Baby Unit at HMP New Hall, where mothers who have been sentenced to prisons can serve time with their babies. Lord Timpson told us his government would ensure most pregnant women and new mothers were diverted away from custody. "There are some pregnant women that commit really serious offences and that is what prison is for for them. But there are also a large number of women, pregnant women, women with young children who I believe would be better off being diverted away from prison and serve their punishment in the community", he told ITV News. 75% of women in prison were there under 12 months at the end of last year. Lord Timpson said he believes more female offenders should serve their sentences in the community, and receive more 'wrap-around' support to prevent them going, or returning, to prison. "What is very clear with female offenders is that a number of those who are in prison when they leave prison need support when they're out. "But also that we divert women away from prison, but we wrap around support on housing, mental health and drugs - and that's where the intensive supervision courts, which I'm a big fan of, I think they have a big role to play too." "There are far too many people reoffending and especially women going round and round the cycle of reoffending and creating more victims," he said. He also acknowledged that the probation service was stretched, but said that had been given additional resource, including in the Spending Review in March. "Probation is under a lot of pressure and that is where the heavy lifting of the justice system is done, and that is where our focus needs to turn. "Because for far too long, probation has been the forgotten about service in the justice system. And for me, it is absolutely vital. That's why we've got 700 million of extra funding. We're recruiting thousands of more probation staff," Timpson insisted. The prisons minister also reiterated the government's commitment to change the law to stop prisons being used as 'place of safety' under the Mental Health Act. "In the Mental Health Act that is going through Parliament at the moment, that's one of the clear objectives. Prison is not the place for people who are very seriously mentally ill. It is in a secure hospital environment."
South Wales Argus
26-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Newport MP leads calls for women's centre to be opened
The call comes after the Independent Sentencing Review recommended more sustainable and long-term funding for women's centres. The centres are said to "play a critical role in directing female offenders in the criminal justice system to valued practical and emotional help." Ruth Jones, chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee and Newport West & Islwyn MP, said: "Keeping women near to their families and loved ones is vital for successful rehabilitation and reducing reoffending. "Hearing the first-hand experiences of Welsh female offenders at HMP Eastwood Park in England made it undoubtedly clear how much a women's centre in Wales could change lives. "The Independent Sentencing Review highlighted the benefits of providing more sustainable and long-term funding to women's centres. "It's high time that Welsh women be afforded equivalent support within their communities as that provided to their English counterparts and the Government should move quickly to open the planned Swansea centre." Currently, there is no women's prison in Wales, meaning Welsh female offenders are often held in prisons that are a significant distance from family, friends, and community services. The committee intends to analyse the report's findings through the course of its prisons, probation, and rehabilitation inquiry. The Welsh Affairs Committee is responsible for scrutinising the expenditure, administration, and policies of the Wales Office, and the policies of the UK Government as a whole that have an impact in Wales.
Scottish Sun
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Sex beast killed my cousin & hid her in freezer… why is Starmer ignoring grieving families to let predators out early?
Victims and families of the worst offenders shouldn't be 'collateral damage' in quest to do more to help criminals turn their lives around WOKE JUSTICE Sex beast killed my cousin & hid her in freezer… why is Starmer ignoring grieving families to let predators out early? Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) I KNOW one day my cousin's murderer will probably be getting out of prison and going back to his family. But Jan is never coming back home to ours. 9 Jan Mustafa, a 38-year-old mother to a then 11-year-old girl, was brutally murdered by Zahid Younis Credit: Supplied 9 Ayse Hussein with her cousin Jan Credit: Supplied 9 Zahid Younis was sentenced to life with a minimum jail term of 38 years Credit: PA My cousin Jan Mustafa, a 38-year-old mother to a then 11-year-old girl, was brutally murdered by a serial serious sexual and violent offender, Zahid Younis. After killing her, he callously kept her body in a freezer in his east London flat for a year alongside another victim he'd murdered - Henriett Szucs. Evidence showed both women had been subjected to very significant violence before their deaths, and Younis was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum jail term of 38 years. Nothing can bring our beautiful Jan back, and the impact of her loss has affected us all in so many ways. But we have to start listening to the views of all victims and the public on what justice means. The Independent Sentencing Review, released this week, was a real opportunity to change that. But Ex-Tory minister David Gauke - the person who led the review - refused to meet us. Mr Gauke's proposals, accepted by the government to free up 10,000 cells in Britain's overrun jails, will see some killers and rapists eligible for release after serving just half of their sentence, rather than two thirds. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood is also looking at plans to make chemical castration mandatory for paedophiles and rapists. Other criminals on Standard Determinate Sentences with earlier release points can be freed after just a third of their time if they demonstrate good behaviour. Parents of murdered Sarah Everard plea for more whole-life jail terms for worst offenders 9 Ayse Hussein helped form the Justice for Victims Campaign group Credit: Supplied 9 Jan was the mother of an 11-year-old girl Credit: Supplied 9 The body of Henriett Szucs was also found in Younis' freezer Credit: PA 9 Forensic markers on the bedroom carpet at the home of Zahid Younis in Canning Town, east London Credit: PA But it is hard to believe letting serious offenders like rapists and child abusers out of prison earlier is what victims and their families want. In fact, across the hundreds of pages of the report, there is no discussion at all about what victims and their families might consider to be justice. Of course victims and families shouldn't dictate that, but surely they should be at the heart of that decision? 'Collateral damage' I joined others in forming the Justice for Victims Campaign group because everything I experienced after Jan's murder taught me that victims and their families are not at the heart of the justice system in the way they should be. My co-founders have all had direct experience of serious sexual and violent crime. Jeremy and Susan Everard, the parents of 33-year-old Sarah Everard who was abducted whilst walking home, raped and murdered by police officer Wayne Couzens. Katie Brett, whose 16-year-old sister Sasha was raped and stabbed more than 100 times by her killer before he set her body on fire. Paula Hudgell OBE, who campaigns on behalf of her adopted son Tony, who lost his lower legs as a result of child cruelty at the hands of his birth mother. Becky and Glen Youens, whose four-year-old daughter Violet Grace was killed by a dangerous driver who spent barely more time in prison than their daughter was alive. It is hard to believe letting serious offenders like rapists and child abusers out of prison earlier is what victims and their families want Ayse Hussein Our campaign group is focused on sentencing and ensuring it delivers true justice for victims and their families. We welcome the investment to create new prison places - and of course, offenders leading troubled lives of addiction and mental health issues can sometimes be better off outside of prison. But the victims and families of the worst offenders shouldn't be collateral damage as part of a desire to do more to help those people turn their lives around. Our group will be working with MPs in coming months to make sure they aren't. We aren't getting justice often enough, so please, listen, learn and treat us all the same. Give us what our loved ones deserve. That requires punishment that fits the crime. 9 The parents of murdered Sarah Everard are co-founders of the Justice for Victims Campaign group Credit: PA 9 The group is calling on the government to consider the impact of the Independent Sentencing Review on victims' families Credit: Getty 'Insult' The term 'life sentence' is an insult and often gets reported as 'jailed for life'. But it doesn't mean that at all. There are lots of groups that meet with MPs and talk to the media about all the reasons why criminals should spend less time in prison. We aren't against those who can be reformed receiving help, and we recognise that prison isn't always the best place to do that. But some people cross a line - and when they do, we have to make sure that justice is served. Some people cross a line - and when they do, we have to make sure that justice is served Ayse Hussein I would encourage everyone who agrees with us to contact their MP and make our voices heard. We are up against it and need your support to make the changes. We need to ensure all victims get true justice, and that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes that have so brutally damaged our families truly get what they deserve.
Scotsman
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
Scottish Government 'considering' chemical castration of sex offenders
The report recommends a range of measures to try and reduce the prison population. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scottish Government ministers are 'considering' a report on chemically castrating sex offenders, which has been recommended south of the Border as a measure to reduce the prison population. A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: 'England and Wales has experienced a significant rise in prison population, which illustrates that Scotland is not alone in facing complex challenges as a result of a rise in the prison population. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Dennis Hilton has been remanded into custody pending sentence 'There is no single reason for the increase and there is no single solution to the issue so we will consider the recommendations of the publication of the Independent Sentencing Review in England and Wales as part of our wider work to tackle this issue. 'In Scotland, an independent Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission is considering how imprisonment and community-based interventions are currently used to help ensure that we have a sustainable prison population over the longer term, and will report by the end of the year.' The Scottish Government's response comes after the UK Government said it was considering the chemical castration of sex offenders. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad An independent review, led by former UK justice secretary David Gauke, was commissioned by the UK Government to look at how to reduce the prison population in England and Wales by 9,800 people by 2028. Other measures include releasing well-behaved prisoners after only a third of their sentence. This would involve using medication to suppress the sexual drive of sex offenders and is currently being piloted in southwest England. The report says chemical castration 'may assist in management of suitable sex offenders both in prison and in the community'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood told MPs on Thursday she will pursue 'a nationwide rollout, and will first expand the use of the medication to 20 prisons across England'. Currently chemical castration in the prisons in the trial is voluntary, but Ms Mahmood says she is 'exploring whether mandating the approach is possible'.
Scottish Sun
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Paedophiles and other sex criminals will be castrated in tough new crackdown to dull their twisted sexual urges
PAEDOPHILES and rapists are to face chemical castration. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood is looking at plans to make it mandatory. Advertisement 5 Paedophiles and rapists are to face chemical castration under a new Labour plan to get tough on sex offenders Credit: Getty 5 Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood is looking at plans to make chemical castration mandatory Credit: PA Studies have shown using drugs to dull sex urges can slash offending by up to 60 per cent. A Government source said: 'For too long, we have turned a blind eye to the threat sex offenders pose, considering the solutions too difficult or unpalatable. 'Shabana isn't squeamish about doing what it takes to protect the public. 'As always, she will grab this problem by the proverbials.' Advertisement Recommendations by the Independent Sentencing Review to continue a small voluntary pilot in the South West have been rejected as too soft. Instead it will be expanded to 20 prisons in England and Wales ahead of a planned roll-out nationwide. But The Sun understands Ms Mahmood wants to go further and is exploring the feasibility of compulsory chemical castration. Allies highlighted how US states such as California have castration as a mandatory condition for jailed sex offenders freed on parole. Advertisement And while ministers would start with jailed offenders, insiders say they will explore broadening the scheme to those given suspended sentences. It marks a victory for The Sun's Keep Our Kids Safe campaign to protect children against paedos. Paedo chemically castrated begs for injections to end saying 'I'm sorry' Our demands also include mandatory jail sentences for those caught with the worst Category A images. Many sex offenders currently seek chemical castration proactively. Advertisement It is voluntary in Germany, France, Sweden and Denmark. Ms Mahmood has been won over by various studies, including one showing reoffending rates could be slashed by up to 60 per cent. Chemical castration uses two drugs — selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors to limit invasive sexual thoughts, and anti-androgens to reduce testosterone and limit libido. Offenders are often given psychiatric sessions to reduce other impulses. Advertisement The plan is part of wider efforts to cut reoffending to ease the strain on packed prisons. Inmates are already being released early to stop jails running out of space by November. Ex-Tory minister David Gauke's Independent Sentencing Review is expected to urge the increased use of suspended sentences, deportation of more foreign offenders and more community punishments. He is also expected to recommend extending maximum suspended sentences from two to three years, and release after a third of sentences. Advertisement Plans to dramatically reduce number of people being locked up in major shake-up THE Independent Sentencing Review has laid out a major shake-up of the justice system - with plans to dramatically reduce the number of people being locked up. The Independent Sentencing Review has laid out a major shake-up of the justice system - with plans to dramatically reduce the number of people being locked up. The move comes after the prison population soared past 87,000, with jails nearly running out of space last year. One of the most controversial proposals is a ban on short jail terms under 12 months, except in what it calls 'exceptional circumstances'. Nearly 45,000 people were jailed for less than a year in the past 12 months alone - but under the new proposals, many would instead be handed so-called tougher community sentences. These include curfews, unpaid work, or being forced to undergo rehab for drugs, alcohol or mental health problems. The plans also push for new types of punishment, including bans from football matches - even for crimes that have nothing to do with football - and restrictions on social media use, particularly in cybercrime cases. These measures, which are usually just bolt-ons to prison sentences, could now be used as punishments in their own right, without any jail time at all. The review also calls for a new 'Probation Requirement' to replace the current rehabilitation rules. It says this would give probation officers more power to tailor punishments and support to each individual - from mental health support to being tagged and tracked in the community. But it admits this would place even more pressure on a probation system already stretched thin. There are also plans to extend suspended sentence rules, meaning some offenders facing up to three years behind bars could now stay in the community instead - as long as they stay out of trouble. Another major change is the introduction of a new 'earned progression' system. Under this plan, prisoners serving standard determinate sentences could be released after serving just a third of their time behind bars, as long as they behave well and take part in work, education or treatment programmes. Those who fail to meet the standards would stay locked up until halfway through. 5 Studies have shown using drugs to dull sex urges can slash offending by up to 60 per cent 5 Ms Mahmood has been won over by various studies Credit: Alamy 5 It marks a victory for The Sun's Keep Our Kids Safe campaign to protect children against paedos Advertisement
