Falconer faces up to jails crisis on first day of justice ministry – The Guardian

Posted May 10th, 2007 in news, prisons by sally

“The chief inspector of prisons warns today that offenders are being forced to “queue” for jail cells despite an assurance yesterday from the new justice minister, Lord Falconer, that the system can cope with the immediate crisis in prisoner numbers.”

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The Guardian, 10th May 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Judges are told to cut jail terms for thieves – The Times

Posted May 10th, 2007 in news, prisons, sentencing by sally

“Thousands of petty criminals and thieves will avoid jail under Government plans proposed yesterday to ease the overcrowding crisis engulfing prisons.”

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The Times, 10th May 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Penal policy – a background paper – Ministry of Justice

Posted May 9th, 2007 in Ministry of Justice, prisons, sentencing by sally

“The creation of a Ministry of Justice gives us an opportunity to deliver on our objectives of protecting the public, reducing re-offending and sense in sentencing. This paper outlines how an effective penal policy will protect the public and reduce re-offending.”

Penal policy – a background paper (PDF)

Ministry of Justice, 9th May 2007

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Justice ministry faces jails crisis as Home Office splits in two – The Guardian

Posted May 9th, 2007 in government departments, Ministry of Justice, news, prisons by sally

“Britain’s first Ministry of Justice emerges today out of the rubble of the “not fit for purpose” Home Office to face a mounting prison crisis with prisoner numbers in England and Wales hitting a new record.”

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The Guardian, 9th May 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Softer line on crime vetoed as jails fill up – The Times

Posted May 8th, 2007 in news, prisons, sentencing by sally

“A package of measures to head off a summer prison overcrowding crisis, including abolishing the option of custody for shoplifting offences, has been vetoed by Tony Blair, The Times has learnt.”

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The Times, 8th May 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

3,000 ‘freed early’ to ease prison crowding – The Observer

Posted May 8th, 2007 in news, prisons by sally

“The government is considering plans for the early release of up to 3,000 prisoners, after being told by senior members of the judiciary and Prison Service that there is no more room in Britain’s overflowing jails. The news is likely to prompt fresh criticism that ministers failed to anticipate the overcrowding crisis.”

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The Observer, 6th May 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Lord Woolf calls for cap on prison places – The Guardian

Posted April 17th, 2007 in news, prisons by sally

“The government should place a cap on prison places to lessen overcrowding and stem the resources poured into building new jails, the former lord chief justice Lord Woolf said today.”

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The Guardian, 17th April 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Home Office promises review after private prison exposé – The Guardian

Posted April 17th, 2007 in news, prisons by sally

“The Home Office has pledged to review the management of a privately run prison where an investigation by Guardian Films and the BBC uncovered routine bullying of staff by prisoners at the jail.”

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The Guardian, 17th April 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Ministers plan to let private prisons discipline inmates – The Guardian

Posted April 17th, 2007 in news, prisons by sally

“The powers of Home Office officials to discipline and order the segregation and restraint of prisoners in Britain’s private jails would be handed over to the prison companies under legislation to be debated today by the House of Lords.”

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The Guardian, 17th April 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Bribery and drugs exposed at private jail – The Guardian

Posted April 16th, 2007 in news, prisons by sally

“An investigation by an undercover reporter working as a prison officer has exposed conditions in a private jail where inmates have easy access to drugs and mobile phones and subject overstretched staff to intimidation if they are too diligent in their work.”

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The Guardian, 16th April 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Widow pins hopes on fresh evidence in jail cell killing – The Guardian

Posted April 16th, 2007 in news, prisons by sally

“Britain’s prison system faces scrutiny this weekend over its treatment of ethnic minority prisoners as new evidence is revealed about how an Asian inmate was killed by his white cellmate.”

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The Guardian, 15th April 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

‘Tactics backfiring’ as jails try to curb radical Islam – The Guardian

Posted April 13th, 2007 in Islam, news, prisons by sally

“The Prison Service’s attempts to curb the growth of radical Islam in jails by restricting communal prayers and reading of the Qur’an during work breaks are exacerbating the problem, according to the first in-depth study of Muslim prisoners.”

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The Guardian, 13th April 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Governors call for fewer jailings, not more jails – The Guardian

Posted April 10th, 2007 in news, prisons by sally

“Prison governors have delivered an urgent warning to ministers that building new jails will not solve the criminal justice crisis and that too many minor offenders with mental health and alcohol problems are being locked up.”

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The Guardian, 10th April 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Hundreds to move to open prisons to ease crowding – The Independent

Posted April 3rd, 2007 in news, prisons by sally

“Hundreds of prisoners will be moved into open prisons within days to ease pressure on Britain’s bursting jails.”

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The Independent, 3rd April 2007

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Jail suicide was unavoidable says judge as manslaughter trial ends – The Guardian

Posted April 3rd, 2007 in news, prisons by sally

“A private prison was criticised by its staff and a judge yesterday following the collapse of a manslaughter trial over the death of a prisoner on suicide watch.”

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The Guardian, 3rd April 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Prisoner goes to court over cost of phone calls – The Guardian

Posted April 2nd, 2007 in human rights, news, prisons by sally

“A long-term prisoner has launched an attempt in the high court to stop BT charging inmates more than five times the national call box rate for phone calls, claiming it breaches human rights. The action, which began last Thursday, has the backing of the prisons ombudsman, the chief inspector of prisons and reformers.”

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The Guardian, 2nd April 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk