Tories to end automatic early release for prisoners

... And life WILL mean life

PRISONERS would no longer be freed early under a radical revamp of the ‘soft-touch justice system’ being proposed by the Scottish Tories.

The move is part of a package of reform plans and follows widespread outrage after child killer Aaron Campbell, 17, had his sentence reduced on appeal from a minimum terms of 27 years to 24.

His rape and murder last summer of six-year-old Alesha MacPhail, on Bute, sparked nationwide revulsion.

Under the Tory proposals, the nation’s worst criminals could expect to serve ‘whole life custody’ with no chance of release. The party’s Honesty in Sentencing campaign seeks:

The abolition of automatic early release for all criminals;

Parole being considered only after a risk assessment;

Courts to be clear about the true nature of any sentence, including how much time will be spent in the community;

Whole-life custody for those who commit the most appalling crimes;

The scrapping of the presumption against sentences of less than a year.

Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr plans to introduce a Whole Life Custody (Scotland) Bill.

He said: ‘It’s hard to find anyone who isn’t appalled at the reduction in Aaron Campbell’s sentence. The Honesty in Sentencing campaign will simplify the sentencing process – victims will know what to expect, and judges will be able to give criminals an appropriate sentence.

‘The current sentencing system is confusing and is often a source of anxiety and trauma to victims who have already suffered too much.

‘The worst criminals must know that they could face a lifetime in prison – no ifs, no buts, no automatic early release.

‘Too often victims are let down by the SNP’s soft-touch justice. Only the Conservatives will ensure Scotland’s justice system is transparent – –criminals will be punished and victims will be protected.’

The SNP promised repeatedly to end the controversial practice of automatic early release, when prisoners are freed after serving only half of their sentence.

But when the law was reformed in 2015, it stopped the practice only for those serving four years or more.

The vast majority of inmates, who are sentenced to serve less than this period behind bars, can still expect to be released early.

The Scottish Government said: ‘Custody will always be the right place for serious offenders. However, the Scottish Government is focused on smart justice, which means using evidence in devising policy.

‘The presumption against short sentences is not a ban and is rooted in clear evidence that demonstrates community sentences are more effective than short custodial sentences.

‘Our approach has helped achieve a 20-year low in reconviction rates.’

‘Criminals will be punished and victims protected’