Prisoner early release move ‘insulting to victims’

NICOLA Sturgeon yesterday unveiled revamped plans to axe automatic early release of prisoners – but thousands of inmates will still be freed.

The First Minister Nicola SturgeonGETTY

The First Minister was accused of 'insulting' victims

The First Minister was accused of “insulting” victims of crime after announcing all criminals jailed for four years or more would no longer be released under the discredited scheme.

Previous proposals ending the right of release after serving two thirds of a sentence applied to sex offenders serving more than four years or other criminals jailed for more than 10.

However, the new laws are less ambitious than an SNP manifesto promise to end the practice outright.

The Scottish Tories last night warned only three per cent of prisoners will be affected by the change because they are eligible for parole halfway through their sentence.

The rest will continue to be released early, regardless of the nature of their crime, even if they have not admitted their guilt or attempted to address their behaviour behind bars.

Scottish Tory chief whip John Lamont said: “This is clearly welcome news but it still falls short of what the SNP has been promising to do since first getting elected in 2007.

“Automatic early release of prisoners is an insult to victims and makes a mockery of our justice system.

“Despite the announcement today, the vast majority of offenders will continue to enjoy the benefits of our soft touch justice system.”

Automatic early release of prisoners is an insult to victims and makes a mockery of our justice system

John Lamont

During 2013-14, 14,079 people were given a custodial sentence and out of these only 450 were jailed for four years or over. Under current rules many will be able to walk free only halfway through their sentence.

The murder of Glasgow teenager Kriss Donald in 2004 threw the early release system into the spotlight when it emerged that Imran Shahid had killed the youngster after being freed early.

He had been sentenced to 30 months in February 2003 for a serious assault and dangerous driving, but was released after just 15 months. He murdered Kriss four months later.

Other criminals freed early include paedophile Darren McIntosh, of Galashiels, Selkirkshire.

The 17-year-old had been handed a three-year sentence in January 2009 for a sexual assault on an eight-year-old boy, with an extra year added after an appeal by the Crown.

Ms Sturgeon insisted public safety was her “absolute priority”.

Experts have raised concerns about prisoners being released “cold” after serving all of their sentence in prison, rather than spending some of it supervised on licence in the community.

But the First Minister also announced a guaranteed period of supervision would be put in place for prisoners guilty of serious offences coming out jail.

Ms Sturgeon added: “Tough action is required to tackle those offenders who commit the most serious crimes, ensuring that communities are kept safe while at the same time making efforts to reduce the likelihood of reoffending.”

Susan Gallagher, of Victim Support Scotland, said: “This should be viewed as a step closer to achieving a system in which sentences are straightforward and understandable.”

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