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Former forces prisoners to get more support | Former forces prisoners to get more support |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Former members of the armed forces who are sent to prison will be given more support, the Ministry of Justice says. | Former members of the armed forces who are sent to prison will be given more support, the Ministry of Justice says. |
From January, all new prisoners will be asked if they have been in the forces so ex-service personnel can be given specific rehabilitation programmes. | From January, all new prisoners will be asked if they have been in the forces so ex-service personnel can be given specific rehabilitation programmes. |
The move is among measures following a review into how the criminal justice system deals with veterans. | The move is among measures following a review into how the criminal justice system deals with veterans. |
Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said a "huge debt of gratitude" was owed to those who had served their country. | Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said a "huge debt of gratitude" was owed to those who had served their country. |
'Tailored approach' | 'Tailored approach' |
The government said the measures would identify and support veterans when they enter and leave prison, and give them a better chance of rehabilitation. | The government said the measures would identify and support veterans when they enter and leave prison, and give them a better chance of rehabilitation. |
Prisons will be given new guidance about helping former servicemen and women while they are serving their sentence. | Prisons will be given new guidance about helping former servicemen and women while they are serving their sentence. |
The review by Conservative MP Stephen Phillips QC was published as part of the government's Armed Forces Covenant, which sets out the relationship between the UK and its military. | The review by Conservative MP Stephen Phillips QC was published as part of the government's Armed Forces Covenant, which sets out the relationship between the UK and its military. |
Mr Grayling said: "Most ex-service personnel have successful civilian lives and do not enter the criminal justice system - but I am determined to help the minority who have committed an offence turn their lives around. | Mr Grayling said: "Most ex-service personnel have successful civilian lives and do not enter the criminal justice system - but I am determined to help the minority who have committed an offence turn their lives around. |
"Society owes a huge debt of gratitude to those who have served their country, which is why our commitment to support them and their families is enshrined in the Armed Forces Covenant. | "Society owes a huge debt of gratitude to those who have served their country, which is why our commitment to support them and their families is enshrined in the Armed Forces Covenant. |
"We will identify veterans at the earliest opportunity, so that we can take a more tailored approach to help them turn away from crime. This support will extend to offenders' families, who also feel the sacrifices made by our service men and women." | "We will identify veterans at the earliest opportunity, so that we can take a more tailored approach to help them turn away from crime. This support will extend to offenders' families, who also feel the sacrifices made by our service men and women." |
Question not asked | Question not asked |
Mr Phillips' report found that veterans were less likely to enter the criminal justice system than other people, but more detail was needed on how many were going to prison. | Mr Phillips' report found that veterans were less likely to enter the criminal justice system than other people, but more detail was needed on how many were going to prison. |
"We were reassured to find that if you have served in the armed forces, you are actually less likely to find yourself on the wrong side of the law," he said. | "We were reassured to find that if you have served in the armed forces, you are actually less likely to find yourself on the wrong side of the law," he said. |
"But we cannot lose sight of the needs of the minority of veterans who do end up in the criminal justice system. | "But we cannot lose sight of the needs of the minority of veterans who do end up in the criminal justice system. |
"That's why it is vital for them, their families, and our communities that more is done to look at who they are and how we can best support them." | "That's why it is vital for them, their families, and our communities that more is done to look at who they are and how we can best support them." |
He said the system was failing to identify far too many veterans because either the question was not asked or they were reluctant to give such information. | He said the system was failing to identify far too many veterans because either the question was not asked or they were reluctant to give such information. |
Shadow justice secretary Sadiq Khan welcomed the report's recommendations. | Shadow justice secretary Sadiq Khan welcomed the report's recommendations. |
He said: "We have been campaigning on this important issue for some time now and it is about time the government did more than pay lip service to the needs of veterans. | He said: "We have been campaigning on this important issue for some time now and it is about time the government did more than pay lip service to the needs of veterans. |
"We owe a debt of gratitude to former members of our armed services. Most go on to have constructive lives after leaving the armed services but some can drift into a life of crime and we need to do more to prevent this." | "We owe a debt of gratitude to former members of our armed services. Most go on to have constructive lives after leaving the armed services but some can drift into a life of crime and we need to do more to prevent this." |
Prof Neil Greenberg, of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said the report was a "most welcome document" and it seemed likely the risk of veterans reoffending "will be much reduced". | Prof Neil Greenberg, of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said the report was a "most welcome document" and it seemed likely the risk of veterans reoffending "will be much reduced". |
Have you, or someone you know, been affected by the issues raised in this report? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. Please leave a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist | |
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