Violent criminals to spend more time in jail
MURDERERS, rapists and violent convicts will have to serve two-thirds of their sentence in future instead of being released half way through.
The longer jail terms, which apply to anyone given more than four years, came in a blitz on crime by the Tories yesterday.
And the party has also vowed that offenders who break the terms of their release will be hauled back to their cells.
Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said the government wanted to “restore faith” in the sentencing system. He said: “Conservatives believe release should be earned. And that’s why, for the most serious violent and sexual offenders, I’m announcing this Conservative government will abolish automatic early release at the halfway point. These criminals will be required to serve two-thirds of their sentence behind bars.
“Keeping the most dangerous violent and sexual offenders in prison for longer means they won’t be out on the streets with the opportunity to commit crime. We owe it to victims to make this change.”
Most offenders are released after having served only half of their sentence in prison without a risk assessment and regardless of whether they have shown remorse. The announcement comes after Boris Johnson launched an urgent review into sentencing in the summer, insisting the public want rapists and murderers to serve the jail terms they deserve. Around nine in 10 adult convicts last year received a standard determinate sentence, which means they will be out at the half way point
Mr Buckland added: “Punishment and rehabilitation are not opposites. Conservatives believe in offering a second chance to those who are ready to change. We will do more to improve rehabilitation in prison, and support our probation services.”