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Sex offender remission set to end Remission for prisoners will end
(about 5 hours later)
The government is expected to announce plans to end automatic 50% remission for all serious offenders. The government has announced plans to end automatic 50% remission for all offenders.
For 30 years now, prisoners in Northern Ireland have been eligible for release after serving half their sentence.For 30 years now, prisoners in Northern Ireland have been eligible for release after serving half their sentence.
Criminal Justice Minister David Hanson is expected to announce the end of that policy in a statement to the House of Commons later on Tuesday. Criminal Justice Minister David Hanson told the Commons this would end and a parole board, similar to the system in England and Wales, be introduced.
He is also expected to announce the creation of a parole board, similar to the system in England and Wales. He confirmed that dangerous sexual and violent offenders could be detained for the full term of their sentence.
He said those committing the most serious offences could remain in prison for an indefinite period, with their release being determined by members of an independent body.
"Protection of the public is the first duty of the criminal justice system," he said.
"Having consulted extensively and listened to the views and concerns of the public in relation to sentencing, I have decided to introduce measures which will in future end the practice of 50% automatic remission for all offenders."
He said the revised framework will also see the introduction of compulsory post-release supervision for all prisoners.
"Under this new sentence the courts would determine the period to be spent in custody, which must then be completed in full without remission, before the offender is released under licence," Mr Hanson said.
"They will then serve the remainder of their sentence under supervision in the community. A system of electronic monitoring will also be introduced to assist in verifying offenders' compliance with specific conditions imposed on them."
Attracta Harron had been battered to death
Mr Hanson said that for many low risk offenders imprisonment is not necessarily the most effective punishment.
"For these offenders viable alternatives to custody will be considered, such as unpaid work in the community," he said.
"Additional measures to support the collection of outstanding fines will also be considered."
The government hopes to introduce the new legislation within a year.The government hopes to introduce the new legislation within a year.
Under the new laws, serious offenders will have to apply to the parole board for early release and can be kept in jail if they are considered a risk to the public.
The minister will also announce a range of other measures aimed at improving confidence in the criminal justice system.
Battered bodyBattered body
On Monday, a new report recommended all dangerous offenders in Northern Ireland should be barred from getting automatic 50% prison remission.On Monday, a new report recommended all dangerous offenders in Northern Ireland should be barred from getting automatic 50% prison remission.
The report by the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice, Kit Chivers, assessed the management of high-risk offenders, including sex offenders.The report by the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice, Kit Chivers, assessed the management of high-risk offenders, including sex offenders.
The review followed the murder of Strabane pensioner Attracta Harron, who was killed by a paroled rapist.The review followed the murder of Strabane pensioner Attracta Harron, who was killed by a paroled rapist.
Mrs Harron, 65, disappeared in December 2003. Her battered body was found later. Trevor William Hamilton, 24, of Sion Mills was convicted of her murder.Mrs Harron, 65, disappeared in December 2003. Her battered body was found later. Trevor William Hamilton, 24, of Sion Mills was convicted of her murder.
He had been on parole after serving a sentence for raping another woman.He had been on parole after serving a sentence for raping another woman.
Mr Chivers' interim report stressed a key problem in the case was Hamilton's eligibility for release after serving half of his original rape sentence.Mr Chivers' interim report stressed a key problem in the case was Hamilton's eligibility for release after serving half of his original rape sentence.