UK NEWS
HUMAN RIGHTS RULING TO FREE HUNDREDS OF DANGEROUS PRISONERS
Jack Straw
By Tom Whitehead
HUNDREDS of dangerous criminals could be freed early – even if Justice Secretary Jack Straw believes they pose a threat to the public.
Keeping them locked up would breach their human rights, the Appeal Court ruled yesterday.
Until now the Justice Secretary, and before him the Home Secretary, has had the power to overturn Parole Board decisions to free serious offenders.
Yesterday’s court ruling is set to strip him of that veto because of the Human Rights Act brought in by his own Government.
The decision was given at the end of a legal challenge by Wayne Black, 39, who is serving 24 years for a series of offences, including kidnap and robbery.
He was recommended for parole in 2006 but the Home Secretary blocked his release, saying he still posed a danger.
Yesterday the Appeal Court said that decision was “incompatible” with the Human Rights Act. Only a court of law was qualified to decide on long-term prisoners’ release dates, the judges said.
The decision was condemned by former Home Office minister and Tory MP Ann Widdecombe. She said it would only take one released criminal to reoffend to cause a national outcry. The Daily Express columnist said: “The Home Secretary or the Justice Secretary should remain responsible for the release of long-serving prisoners.
“The public expect to feel confident in the justice system and cannot reasonably hold it to account if the Secretary of State has no power.”
The Justice Ministry insisted no prisoner would be released immediately. It is considering an appeal to the House of Lords.
Lyn Costello, of Mothers Against Murder and Aggression, said: “It is unbelievable. We have to have some monitoring of the Parole Board because they are a faceless, nameless group of people.
“If they let out someone who kills or maims again then we have no comeback. If we do not have a final say by the Secretary of State, who we vote in, then those decisions are being taken out of the public’s hands.”
The Justice Secretary until now has been able to overturn Parole Board decisions to free prisoners jailed for 15 years or more, but not for life.
The powers covered some of the worst criminals such as armed robbers, rapists, drug lords and paedophiles. About 150 come before the Parole Board every year and a third are recommended for release.
Black’s lawyers cited Article 5 of the Human Rights Convention which dictates that prisoners are entitled to have their release dates reviewed “speedily by a court”.
Ruling on the case, Lord Justice Latham said current procedure does not comply with Article 5.
The Justice Secretary has already lost the right to overturn parole decisions for prisoners serving life or fewer than 15 years or anyone sentenced since 2005.
A Justice Ministry spokeswoman said: “We note the court’s judgment and will be actively considering whether to seek permission to appeal to the House of Lords.
“No prisoner will be immediately released as a result of this judgment.”
Christine Glenn, chief executive of the Parole Board, said: “I welcome this decision.” She said a court was the right place to rule on prisoner releases. “I think every decision that has happened points us towards tha
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ANONYMOUSE WELL SAID
16.04.08, 11:04pm
great read made me chuckle, but how true
• Posted by: mike1951 • Report Comment
CRIMINALS HUMAN RIGHTS...AGAIN
16.04.08, 8:20pm
Surely this idiotic govt. must be sick of shooting itself in the foot. Since hastily signing into the Human Rights Act(the charter for criminals,immigrants, illegal or otherwiseand terrorists) this govt. has spent masses of time and tax payers money either losing judgements and appeals against the very law they brought in themselves. It seems that everyone the govt. considers a threat to society drives a horse and cart through the law and rewards themselves with swathes of money paid for by the people who have a right to life and protection( the law abiding ) UNDER THE VERY SAME LAW. It just shows how a silly 2nd rate govt can be shown up by lawyers and even worse criminals by rushing in legislation which comes back time and again to punish them. IDIOTS!!!!!!
• Posted by: Daveyboy • Report Comment
YES, THANKS ANONYMOUSE....
16.04.08, 5:03pm
for really brightening up the end of my working day. I had to chuckle over your post :) It's so true!
• Posted by: Veltro205 • Report Comment
ANONYMOUSE, BRILLIANT! SAYS IT ALL.
16.04.08, 4:57pm
except, 'everyone a winner BAR the taxpaying population.'
• Posted by: Jac16 • Report Comment
PETER_PAN " I COULD NOT AGREE MORE"
16.04.08, 3:01pm
The Human Right Act .
It appears that the Human Rights Act is being "Abused" by certain types of individuals, and that appears to be a general concensus not only amongst the general population, but also the Media:
The Human Rights Act is NOT being abused by certain types of individuals. it is functioning exactly and precisely what is was designed and set in place to do ?
None of this has been by "Accident" it is all too well planned for that to happen, thats why NOTHING is ever done to reverse the trend and "Common" sense NEVER prevails (and never will)
• Posted by: BratislavaUK • Report Comment
HUMAN RIGHTSRULINGTO FREE HUNDREDS OF DANGEROUS PRISONERS
16.04.08, 2:52pm
What to do :-
Errect a high barbed wire compound put all prisoners inside.
Give them food and lodgings the same as local resident. These local residents will receive the same 'privledges' as the prisoners, for guarding them.
I will sugest this operation be carried out in Darfor.
P.S. Criminals to pay board and lodge,
not tax payer !
• Posted by: juan01 • Report Comment
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