Life means 6 Years ???? (Revelation, recall, legislation, Article, conservative)

[michel]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,22226643,00.html

The British legal system as regards sentencing is 'A Joke'



The Times






June15,2006

Most freed lifers were jailed under 'two strikes' law

By Richard Ford, Home Correspondent
MORE than half the 53 prisoners released after serving fewer than six years of a life sentence were jailed under a controversial policy of “two strikes and you are in for life”.
The offenders convicted of a second serious or violent offence were given automatic life sentences under laws introduced by the Conservative Party almost ten years ago, and implemented by Tony Blair when he came to power in 1997.
Last night the Government sought to regain the initiative on law and order after weeks in which its reputation has been battered by a series of scandals.
NI_MPU('middle');Figures released by the Home Office show that between 800 and 1,000 offenders who are considered dangerous have been jailed without a release date since indeterminate sentences came into force in April last year.
Judges are handing out the new sentence at the rate of 29 a week, much higher than the Home Office predicted.
Further problems emerged for the Home Office last night as figures indicated that three murderers who absconded from Leyhill open prison in Gloucestershire in 1998 and 1999 were still on the run.
Figures released last month revealed that 393 prisoners have escaped from Leyhill since 1999, an average of one a week. Of those, 22 were murderers, 5 had convictions for manslaughter, 24 were drug dealers, 57 had been convicted of robbery, 7 of rape and 125 had committed burglary. David Davis, the Shadow Home Secretary, said: “This represents yet another appalling blunder by the Home Office.
“It absolutely beggars belief that dangerous criminals who could pose a serious risk to the public are still at large. The fact this has been going on for several years demonstrates the serial incompetence of this Government.”
Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, said of the 53 freed lifers: “The fact that these offenders have been released into the community after only a few years in prison is a direct consequence of government policy. It is no good ministers trying to blame the judiciary or parole boards for decisions which fall squarely with the Government itself.
“We have long argued that sentences for serious offences should be more consistent and rigorous. This latest revelation merely undermines public confidence in our sentencing system even further.”
The Prime Minister is preparing to set out plans in summer for new laws, including an extension of summary justice.
His spokesman said: “What is clear is that there will be a need for further legislation and that will come, but let’s wait and see.” Asked what the legislation would be designed to do, he said: “I’m not going to get into specific areas.”
John Reid, the Home Secretary, is preparing to tighten up the parole system, under which offenders are released early.
Among the plans being considered are advocates to represent the views of the public and victims at oral hearings when the board considers whether to release a prisoner.
He is also looking at strengthening risk assessments on prisoners and insisting that decisions on whether to release serious offenders or violent prisoners are unanimous.
PRISON TERMS
For all cases, up to one third is given off for an early guilty plea. Time is also deducted if spent in custody awaiting trial.



MURDER
SENTENCE Mandatory life
DISCOUNT Judges can set a minimum term that murderers must serve before they are eligible for release. The minimum starting point is 15 years, which can be increased or decreased according to mitigating or aggravating circumstances.
PAROLE Most prisoners serve far longer than their minimum term, and parole is granted only if they are deemed to no longer be a danger. Freed murderers can be subject to recall for the rest of their lives.


RAPE
SENTENCE Between five years and life.
DISCOUNT A rapist who pleads guilty early can have their sentence cut from, for example, 15 years to ten. Time spent in custody usually reduces the minimum term of five years to four.
PAROLE A ten-year jail term makes an offender eligible for parole at five years. The Parole Board will consider a rapist for release after four years. However, a rapist sentenced to 10 years will most likely serve two thirds of their sentence.


WOUNDING
SENTENCE Minimum of five years.
DISCOUNT Offenders will serve half their sentence before being entitled to release, less if they plead guilty.
PAROLE An offender who pleads not guilty but is judged to be no danger to the public can be released, under supervision and subject to recall, after serving 2½ years. An offender who pleads guilty can be out in less time. They can be released unconditionally after serving one year.

What do you think of the above ?

[angellous_evangellous]

Well if I ever descide to commit a crime, I'm doing it in Britain.

[kai]

WOUNDING
SENTENCE Minimum of five years.
DISCOUNT Offenders will serve half their sentence before being entitled to release, less if they plead guilty.
PAROLE An offender who pleads not guilty but is judged to be no danger to the public can be released, under supervision and subject to recall, after serving 2½ years. An offender who pleads guilty can be out in less time. They can be released unconditionally after serving one year.

well lets take this one:

Minimum of five years thats a minimum the lowest term you can be given.

they are not entitled to release at half they are entitled to apply for parole at half.

if you plead guilty at the first opportunity thats at the police station. you will get a one third reduction.

no one on a five year sentence will be released unconditionally after one year.