UK military interrogation method lawful, High Court says – BBC News
“The use of a ‘verbal short sharp shock’ on prisoners interrogated by British troops is lawful, judges have decided.”
BBC News, 1st February 2013
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Category: imprisonment
B (Algeria) (FC) (Appellant) v Secretary of State for the Home Department (Respondent) – Supreme Court
Supreme Court, 30th January 2013
Regina v Oakes; Regina v Restivo; Regina v Roberts; Regina v Stapleton – WLR Daily
“The provisions of Schedule 21 to the Criminal Justice Act 2003, which enabled the court in a case of exceptional seriousness to sentence an offender to life imprisonment with a whole life term as the specified minimum sentence, were not incompatible with and did not contravene article 3 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms provided the judge specifying the minimum term was satisfied that, taking into account all the aggravating and mitigating factors, the element of just punishment and retribution required the imposition of a whole life order.”
WLR Daily, 21st November 2012
Source: www.iclr.co.uk
Ken Clarke’s reforms could still cut prison population, figures show – The Guardian
“Ken Clarke’s sentencing reforms could still fuel a 2,000-strong cut in the record prison population in England and Wales, according to official projections.”
The Guardian, 1st November 2012
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Change law that puts children in jail for minor offences, says report – The Guardian
“Minor offences by children should be treated as a public health issue and not as crimes, according to a new report revealing failings in the justice system have cost 190 lives in a decade.”
The Guardian, 24th October 2012
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Transcript of the Lord Chief Justice’s Annual Press Conference 2012 – Judiciary of England and Wales
“The Lord Chief Justice held his annual press conference on Thursday 27th September 2012 at the Royal Courts of Justice.”
Judiciary of England and Wales, 27th September 2012
Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk
Abu Hamza launches last-minute high court challenge to extradition – The Guardian
“Abu Hamza al-Masri has launched a last-minute appeal to the high court to block his imminent extradition to the US to stand trial on terrorism charges.”
The Guardian, 26th September 2012
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
The extradition that changes the game – The Independent
“The court ruling that settled Abu Hamza’s fate has raised concerns for the rights of others fighting to be tried in Britain.”
The Independent, 26th September 2012
Source: www.independent.co.uk
When indefinite becomes arbitrary: James, Wells and Lee v UK – UK Human Rights Blog
“As Andrew Tickell noted in his post on Wednesday the European Court of Human Rights this week ruled that the UK violated the Article 5(1) ECHR rights of three prisoners sentenced to indeterminate prison sentences for public protection, where reasonable provision for their rehabilitation was not made.”
UK Human Rights Blog, 24th September 2012
Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com
Longer prison sentences are not the way to cut crime – The Guardian
“Contrary to the claims of Civitas, prison is not the right place to rehabilitate the vast majority of offenders.”
The Guardian, 16th July 2012
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Businesses ‘should help prisoners get work’ – BBC News
“Major employers should give prisoners work experience placements and training and help more ex-offenders get work, Ken Clarke has said.”
BBC News, 4th May 2012
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Prison is not working – it’s time for a rehabilitation revolution – Halsbury’s Law Exchange
“For generations we have locked up people who have been convicted of committing criminal offences. It is expensive and hopeless and, for all but the most dangerous offenders, it is a waste of time and money. Countless schemes across the world have shown that cheaper community penalties have had the effect of rehabilitating offenders and reducing crime rates, as well as saving money. This month, Scotland will lead the way in proposing a radical overhaul of the treatment of female offenders that could be applied across the board.”
Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 20th April 2012
Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk
New law will send women to jail needlessly, peers warn – The Independent
“Thousands of women will be sent to jail needlessly if new criminal justice legislation is allowed into law in its current form, a group of cross-party peers warn this weekend ahead of a vote in the House of Lords.”
The Independent, 15th January 2012
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Child offenders ‘dumped in prison’ as cuts erode social care – The Guardian
“Thousands of children are being imprisoned for minor offences such as playground fights as support services are cut, says Centre for Social Justice thinktank.”
The Guardian, 15th January 2012
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
District judges ‘more custody-minded’ than lay magistrates – Law Society’s Gazette
“Custodial sentences are more likely to be given in cases heard by a district judge than lay magistrates, according to research commissioned by the Ministry of Justice. The study, published this week and carried out by Ipsos MORI, shows that district judges gave custodial sentences in 7% of cases, while lay benches used custody in 4% of cases.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 16th November 2011
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Solicitors face two years in prison for ignoring Legal Ombudsman – The Lawyer
“The High Court will impose fines and prison sentences on lawyers who fail to comply with the orders of the Legal Ombudsman (LeO), it has been warned.”
The Lawyer, 15th November 2011
Source: www.thelawyer.com
Unicef criticises Britain for jailing children over riots – The Guardian
“Unicef has criticised the UK judicial system for locking up children allegedly involved in the August riots and warned ministers that they are likely to be in breach of their UN obligations to children’s rights.”
The Guardian, 9th October 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Banned preacher wants to sue for unlawful imprisonment – Daily Telegraph
“A banned Islamic preacher who was allowed in to the UK because of a Home Office blunder is now suing the taxpayer for wrongful imprisonment.”
Daily Telegraph, 15th September 2011
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Kenneth Clarke: prison is a waste of money – The Guardian
“The rate of jail sentencing is ‘financially unsustainable’, the justice secretary, Kenneth Clarke, has said, delivering a defiant riposte to critics within his own party and the tabloid press who have suggested that his plans to overhaul the penal system are soft on crime.”
The Guardian, 16th April 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
£5m scheme to divert mentally ill offenders from prison – The Guardian
“The first stage in setting up a national service to divert mentally ill people from prison is due to be announced by the health secretary, Andrew Lansley, and the justice secretary, Ken Clarke.”
The Guardian, 28th March 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
