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Jail remission 'will end in 2009' Jail remission 'will end in 2008'
(about 1 hour later)
Automatic 50% remission for seriously violent and dangerous offenders in Northern Ireland will end next year, the security minister has said.Automatic 50% remission for seriously violent and dangerous offenders in Northern Ireland will end next year, the security minister has said.
Paul Goggins is to publish draft legislation shortly, which will also include electronic tagging for less serious criminals.Paul Goggins is to publish draft legislation shortly, which will also include electronic tagging for less serious criminals.
He said the new laws would be a major step forward in protecting the public and one people would welcome.He said the new laws would be a major step forward in protecting the public and one people would welcome.
"They have long anticipated its introduction," he said."They have long anticipated its introduction," he said.
"I can tell them I'll be putting this into legislation in the new year and I hope to have it actually available to the court in May of next year.""I can tell them I'll be putting this into legislation in the new year and I hope to have it actually available to the court in May of next year."
Life sentence prisoners already have to serve their full term and then apply to a life sentence review commission for release.
Under the revised laws those serving indeterminate sentences of more than 10 years will now have to apply for remission. They could also be kept in jail if they still considered a risk to the public.
Those serving less than 10 years can still apply for remission after serving half their term, but it will not be granted automatically.
And for the first time in Northern Ireland some non-custodial cases will be dealt with using electronic tagging.