Life sentence inmates out for Christmas

UP to 100 prisoners serving life sentences could be let out of jail for a five-day break with their families over Christmas.

Murderers and rapists are expected to be among those released on temporary licence over the festive break.

There were 1,347 inmates let out for Christmas last year, including 93 serving life sentences.

Of those, 300 had been convicted of committing a violent crime, 202 for robbery or burglary and nine for a sexual offence. More than 550 had been jailed for drug offences.

Last night critics said the figures were ‘totally unacceptable’ amid fears the same number may be released this Christmas.

Tory MP Philip Davies, who unearthed the figures, said: ‘ Some of these people will have killed people. The families of their victims will not be able to spend Christmas with their loved ones so I cannot understand why those who carried out the crime should be able to spend time with their families.’

Blantyre House prison, in Kent, released the most prisoners serving life sentences last year, with 13 allowed home for Christmas.

Prisons Minister Andrew Selous defended the move and said temporary release helps prisoners’ ‘rehabilitation, to encourage them to take responsibility for their actions and take control of their lives’.

He said: ‘All temporary release is subject to rigorous risk assessment, including assessment of the impact of release on any victims. Release will be refused where there is an unacceptable risk of breach.’