Latest news with #softjustice
The Sun
14-06-2025
- The Sun
Married ex-prison officer jailed for filming steamy romp with lag in cell freed after just 5 MONTHS
A FORMER prison officer filmed having sex with a lag in his cell has been freed from jail early after serving just five months. Married Linda de Sousa Abreu, 31, was given 15 months for her romp with burly serial burglar Linton Weirich. 3 But she has been released on licence as new rules to relieve prison overcrowding mean offenders can be freed after a third of their sentence if they behave. But ex-Met Police detective Peter Bleksley said: 'This is a shocking example of soft justice. "Where's the deterrent when sentences and time served are as short as this?' OnlyFans model De Sousa Abreu's romp with Weirich at troubled HMP Wandsworth, South London, was revealed by The Sun a year ago. Her discarded radio crackled nearby as another con filmed them. In January, she was jailed at Isleworth crown court for misconduct in a public office. The Ministry of Justice said: 'Offenders released on licence are subject to strict conditions and can be recalled to prison immediately if they break the rules.'
Daily Mail
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Prison governors blast new Labour scheme forcing them to send serious offenders to open prison after just TWO WEEKS
Jail chiefs have slammed a new Labour scheme which will allow serious criminals to be transferred to open prison after serving just two weeks behind bars. The Prison Governors' Association (PGA) warned the move would 'potentially place the public at greater risk'. It is the first time the association has expressed concern over a series of soft-justice measures introduced since the general election by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood. In a bid to free up space in overcrowded jails Ms Mahmood brought in a scheme last autumn which allows most criminals to be freed after serving just 40 per cent of their sentence. And last month Ms Mahmood indicated she would go ahead with a wholesale reform of court punishments which will see tens of thousands of criminals a year dodge jail, or be freed after serving just a third of their sentence. The new measures allow prisoners to be transferred to open jails three years before their normal release date. Crucially, governors will have 'only limited discretion in exceptional circumstances' to reject the transfers, the PGA said. The rules come into force on Monday. It means, for example, that criminals sentenced to seven and a half years' imprisonment on Tuesday last week, just after the bank holiday, will become eligible for open prison during the course of next week. Under the scheme, governors will be able to delay the moves if they assess a move to open jail would pose a 'wholly unacceptable risk'. But they will not have enough time to make proper assessments during the two-week run-up, the PGA warned. Its president Tom Wheatley said: 'Without the ability to properly consider a prisoner's behaviour during those two weeks we have concerns our members will be required to take decisions that potentially place the public at greater risk. 'There has not been sufficient clarity from the Government that this does come with increased risk.' He added: 'Open prisons are not a suitable place to house men that have been very recently sentenced for serious offences without any risk assessment. 'To ask the governor to decide that such risk is 'wholly unacceptable', given eligibility after just 14 days, is too short a time to make any such assessment and therefore to protect the public. 'It is also not what victims of crime expect, nor what the courts intend. 'This is simply a scheme to manage the lack of suitable prison capacity and having already released many low-risk offenders, it is becoming difficult to use the capacity in open prisons.' He said that without the new policy 'many of these men would remain in the closed prison estate safely behind walls and fences'. Terrorists, some sex offenders and those jailed for more than four years for violent crimes will not be eligible. But among those who could be transferred immediately include those handed long jail terms for crimes including possession of a firearm, rioting or violent disorder, drug trafficking and dealing, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and human trafficking. On a seven and a half year sentence they will eligible for release after serving 40 per cent, or 36 months, which is the point at which transfer to open conditions can now kick in. A PGA spokesman said: 'This would still mean that after just two weeks in prison a man serving a seven and a half year prison sentence could be moved to an open prison, where there are no physical barriers like high walls, fences, secure gates and minimal staff supervision that could prevent prisoners from simply walking out.' There are also fears the scheme could damage rehabilitation schemes in open jails. Mr Wheatley said: 'Governors of open prisons are concerned that that valuable work those jails do – including with some life sentenced prisoners who have already served decades – could be undermined by a large number of new inmates turning up who have done nothing to earn the right to be in open prison.' There are 14 open jails in England and Wales, with the best known including HMP Ford in West Sussex and HMP North Sea Camp in Lincs. They are designed for criminals deemed to be very low risk or who are coming to the end of very long sentences. Prisoners will be eligible for much earlier transfer to jails such as HMP Ford in West Sussex, pictured Ms Mahmood's early prison release scheme saw 16,231 prisoners let out between its launch in September and the end of last year. Updated figures have not been published but the total is now thought to be between 30,000 and 40,000. A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: 'Only certain thoroughly risk-assessed offenders are eligible for moves to open prison and anyone found breaching the rules can be immediately returned to a closed prison. 'We are building new prisons and are on track for 14,000 places by 2031 – the largest expansion since the Victorians. 'Our sentencing reforms will also force prisoners to earn their way to release or face longer in jail for bad behaviour, while ensuring the most dangerous offenders can be kept off the streets.'
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Up to 43,000 criminals a year set to avoid jail under Labour's soft-justice plan, while killers and rapists to be free YEARS earlier
Up to 43,000 criminals a year are set to dodge jail sentences and walk free from court with a 'slap on the wrist' under Labour's soft-justice masterplan. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood's measures will also see rapists and killers let out of jail years earlier, Ministry of Justice figures indicate. The sentencing review was published yesterday and its recommendations have been accepted 'in principle' by Ms Mahmood. Under the plan courts will no longer impose jail terms of less than 12 months, apart from in 'exceptional circumstances' such as when an offender fails to comply with a court order. Ministry of Justice (MoJ) figures show that of 79,812 criminals handed an immediate custodial sentence last year, 43,322 received a sentence of less than 12 months, excluding those sentenced for breach of a court order. Under Labour's measures, offenders who could now be handed a community punishment rather than jail each year include as many as 2,700 burglars, 11,000 shoplifters, 160 car thieves, 600 muggers and 80 robbers, based on 2024 sentencing figures. It could also include up to 3,000 thugs who last year were jailed for assaulting an emergency services worker, 3,000 for common assault, 1,200 for causing actual bodily harm, 1,200 for wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and 200 for wounding/inflicting GBH without intent. Also dodging a jail term could be up to 2,500 criminals convicted of carrying a knife or blade – a move that could have huge implications for tackling knife crime. Among sex offenders, 309 received jail terms of less than 12 months last year – plus 163 jailed for possessing indecent images of children – who may no longer qualify for prison under Labour's plan. There were also 1,900 criminals handed a jail sentence of less than 12 months last year for various drugs offences who under the new measures are likely to avoid receive a custodial sentence. The review, carried out for Labour by former Tory justice secretary David Gauke, also recommended sweeping reductions in the amount of jail time served by serious offenders providing they abide by 'good behaviour' rules. An analysis conducted by the Daily Mail of MoJ sentencing data indicates compliant criminals convicted of attempted murder could get out five years earlier, on average. They are currently eligible for automatic release after serving 75 per cent of their sentence – which on average is after 184.3 months. Under the plans being adopted by Ms Mahmood they could instead be freed at the halfway point, which on average is 122.8 months – a 61.4 month reduction in prison time. Killers convicted of manslaughter could, on average, serve two years less behind bars. Currently they are eligible for release after serving 84.6 months on average. They could instead be freed at the halfway point – after 56.5 months on average, which is 28.2 months less than currently – under the terms of the new scheme. Rapists could be able to serve two and a half years less behind bars if they comply by the new good behaviour requirements. Currently they are eligible for release after 96.5 months on average but this will fall to 64.3 months, a 32.2 month reduction. Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick blamed Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for going ahead with measures which amounted to 'a gift to hardened criminals who will now be free to cause carnage on our streets'. He said: 'Offenders will be able to terrorise communities with impunity. 'The only people benefiting from this Labour Government are criminals and illegal migrants. 'Instead of offering huge sentence discounts to killers and rapists, Starmer should free up space in our prisons by deporting the 10,800 foreign offenders clogging up our jails. 'But he won't as he's wedded to broken human rights laws and previously campaigned to keep foreign criminals in the UK.' Announcing in the Commons on Thursday that she was accepting the majority of Mr Gauke's report, Ms Mahmood admitted: 'I know its recommendations will not be welcomed by all.' Victims of crime and senior police officers immediately voiced grave reservations about the proposals. A spokesman for the Justice for Victims campaign group, co-founded by the parents of Sarah Everard who was raped and murdered by a serving Met Police officer in 2021, said: 'There isn't any excuse for letting the worst offenders get out of prison even earlier.' They added: 'We hope MPs of all parties will ensure that nothing is done to weaken punishment of the worst offenders.' Glenn Youens, whose four-year-old daughter Violet-Grace was killed by a stolen car in a hit-and-run, blasted the 'insulting' proposals.
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Labour set to free killers and rapists earlier under new soft-justice masterplan branded 'recipe for a crimewave' by the Tories
Labour is set to free killers and rapists from jail earlier under a new soft-justice masterplan. The Government's sentencing review was last night savaged by victims and senior police officers, while the Tories dubbed it a 'recipe for a crimewave'. The plan contains a raft of measures to slash sentences served by prisoners – from shoplifters to killers – by up to a third. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who commissioned the review to free up space in overcrowded prisons, is poised to become the weakest law and order minister in history by allowing thousands more criminals a year to dodge jail completely. Most of the plan has already been adopted in principle by Labour. Tory frontbencher Robert Jenrick blasted the measures as 'a get-out-of-jail-free card for dangerous criminals'. 'It's a recipe for a crime wave,' the Shadow Justice Secretary told MPs in the Commons. 'The Labour Party are clearly ideologically opposed to prison. 'The radical, terrible changes today may be cloaked in necessity, but the root of them is their ideology. And it's the public who will pay the price for their weakness.' The review said criminals convicted of serious violence or sex offences could win their freedom after serving half their jail term, rather than at the current three-quarters point – a one-third reduction. This lower automatic release date would apply to offenders convicted of 'rape, manslaughter, soliciting murder, attempted murder and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm', the document said, providing they behaved well in jail. Most other offenders would be released after serving just a third of their sentence if they demonstrated good behaviour. Short jail sentences of less than 12 months – typically imposed on shoplifters, burglars and other thieves – will be largely scrapped and imposed only in 'exceptional circumstances'. Even jail terms for murder should be reviewed, said the review, drawn up for Labour by former Tory Cabinet minister David Gauke. It made a series of recommendations to improve community sentences, such as wider electronic tagging, to create what Ms Mahmood described as a 'prison outside prison'. Mr Gauke estimated his plan would free up 9,800 jail spaces by 2028. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp warned it would 'unleash a tsunami of crime, as criminals will know they can steal with no effective punishment'. 'Many criminals will take the opportunity to commit more crime when they are let out so early,' he said. 'Releasing rapists and violent offenders from prison after just half their sentence will put women at risk by allowing these vile criminals onto the streets. This document is a criminals' charter. It rewards criminals, disregards victims and will lead to higher crime.' Victims' groups and bereaved relatives expressed their dismay, with several saying they asked Mr Gauke for the chance to contribute their views – but were spurned. A spokesman for the Justice for Victims campaign group, co-founded by the parents of Sarah Everard who was raped and murdered by a serving Met Police officer in 2021, said: 'We were deeply disappointed that Mr Gauke decided he didn't have time to meet with our group and failed to answer basic questions about how the views of victims and their families were being taken into account. 'There isn't any excuse for letting the worst offenders get out of prison even earlier. We hope MPs of all parties will ensure that nothing is done to weaken punishment of the worst offenders.' Glenn Youens, whose four-year-old daughter Violet-Grace was killed by a stolen car in a hit-and-run, blasted the 'insulting' proposals. Mr Youens, 38, said he and wife Becky, 37, asked to speak to Mr Gauke but were rebuffed, adding: 'It doesn't feel like they've consulted a single victim. 'If the prisons are full, they should put four in a cell. 'Prisons should not be comfortable. Nobody wants to go to prison in Thailand because they know how horrendous the conditions are. That's how it should be.' Even the normally cautious National Police Chiefs Council sounded concerns. A spokesman said: 'Trust and confidence in the criminal justice system must not be lost through these reforms. 'It is crucial for public safety that high-risk offenders, including those convicted of violent or sexual offences, are exempt from early prison release.' It is understood that top officers have written to Ms Mahmood, expressing grave doubts about the plans. In the Commons, Ms Mahmood told Mr Jenrick he had been 'part of a government that did not build the prison places that this country needs'. The review's recommendations are expected to be included in a forthcoming sentencing Bill.
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Labour's 'pitiful' soft-justice measures mean criminals will be hauled back to jail for only a few weeks if they breach the terms of their release
Criminals will be hauled back to jail for just a few weeks if they breach the terms of their release under Labour's latest 'pitiful' soft-justice measures. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood is introducing a standard 28-day ' recall ' period for released prisoners who are locked up again for breaking the rules – even those who commit new offences. Currently, freed lags can be kept behind bars for the rest of their sentence if they are recalled. The new policy will free up 1,400 spaces in prisons amid the overcrowding crisis. Officials said if no action was taken, they would run out of space by November. But Ms Mahmood was accused of presiding over a 'recipe for the breakdown of law and order', while victims' groups voiced alarm at the move. Ms Mahmood repeated doom-laden warnings she first deployed last summer when she introduced a scheme allowing most inmates to be freed after serving just 40 per cent of their sentences, and which led to lags popping champagne corks outside prison gates. She said yesterday: 'The consequences of failing to act are unthinkable. If our prisons overflow, courts cancel trials, police halt their arrests, crime goes unpunished and we reach a total breakdown of law and order.' There were 13,600 recalled prisoners behind bars in March. About a fifth are sent back to jail because they have committed fresh crimes. Ms Mahmood said the 28-day recall period will apply to criminals serving sentences of between one and four years. Tory justice spokesman Robert Jenrick accused Labour of offering 'an invitation for dangerous criminals to cause carnage'. He added: 'By telling prisoners that they will never serve their full sentence, even if they reoffend, the Justice Secretary has removed an important deterrent. 'Under Labour's new rules, instead of being recalled to serve the rest of their sentence, they'll be given a fixed-term recall of a pitiful 28 days. 'They are then released, with no reassessment of risk or parole board oversight. That is not justice. It's a recipe for the breakdown of law and order.' Offenders who are recalled for committing a serious further offence – such as terrorism or a murder, sex crime, or serious assault – will be excluded from the scheme, along with any considered dangerous enough to require extra monitoring on release. But the Ministry of Justice was last night unable to guarantee whether all perpetrators of domestic abuse would be excluded from the recall reforms. Victims' commissioner Baroness Newlove said: 'Victims will understandably feel unnerved and bewildered by today's announcement. 'I find it difficult to understand why this specific group of offenders has been targeted for early release and I am concerned about the implications for victim safety. 'If the probation service, the Secretary of State and the Parole Board have all judged these individuals to pose a risk of harm to the public, then reducing time served on recall can only place victims and the wider public at an unnecessary risk of harm.' Domestic abuse commissioner Dame Nicole Jacobs joined the condemnation, warning the measures would put victims at risk and calling for them to be 'scrapped'. She said: 'I cannot stress the lack of consideration for victims' safety and how many lives are being put in danger because of this proposed change. 'You are not sent to prison for four years if you do not pose significant risk to your victim or the wider public. Perpetrators of domestic abuse know everything about their victim – where they live, where they work, where their children go to school. 'They are also extremely willing to breach orders intended to protect victims. Re-releasing them back into the community after 28 days is simply unacceptable.' At a hastily arranged Downing Street briefing, justice permanent secretary Amy Rees said men's jails were running at 99 per cent capacity in England and Wales. The MoJ expected jails to 'hit zero capacity – to entirely run out of prison places for adult men – in November of this year', she added. The mandarin said the current number of recalled inmates in prison was a 'significant contributing factor' to the size of the jail population, which has risen from about 40,000 in the early 1990s to just over 88,000 this week. Outlining the latest measures, Ms Mahmood said: 'Crucially, it buys us the time we need to introduce the sentencing reforms that – alongside our record prison-building plans – will end the crisis in our prisons for good.' She confirmed that the Treasury's Spending Review – due next month – will allocate £4.74 billion towards building three new jails. 'A review commissioned by Ms Mahmood and expected to be published next week is likely to recommend freeing most offenders after serving as little as a third of their sentences. 'Offenders should be handed maximum and minimum sentences by the courts, it is expected to propose.'
