The good and the bad of the sentencing reforms
Our prisons are nearly full to bust once again so the Ministry of Justice has been flying some kites ahead of the review of sentencing led by recovered Tory David Gauke. The 'leaked' idea involves the reintroduction of remission of time spent in prison for good behaviour. While the Justice Secretary Shabanna Mahmood is said to be impressed with how a similar system in Texas cut the prison population dramatically, the idea of time of your sentence for behaving yourself is quintessentially British.
Most episodes of the BBC comedy Porridge will contain a reference to remission, granted or removed and how it shapes an offender's journey. That's because from 1948 to 1991 it was embedded in the system.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
25 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Former Most Haunted Live! presenter David Bull named new chairman of Reform UK
The former television presenter and medical doctor was announced as the party's chairman at a press conference in Westminster, as leader Nigel Farage told reporters that his job would be to 'give leadership' and 'not to get involved with the admin'. The appointment of Dr Bull, who previously presented Watchdog, Tomorrow's World and Most Haunted Live!, comes after businessman Zia Yusuf resigned from the position last week following an internal row over the party's position on the burka. Former chairman Zia Yusuf with Reform UK's new chairman David Bull during a press conference at Church House in Westminster, London (Jeff Moore/PA) Speaking at the press conference, Mr Yusuf said he was 'hugely excited' that former MEP Dr Bull was taking the role. 'This party is no longer a start-up,' Mr Yusuf told reporters. 'I think it's gone to a scale-up phase … the reality is what we need now in a chairman is someone who is an incredible communicator, someone who's loved universally across the party … someone who's going to I think do a better job than me at energising volunteers on the front line.' 'I wholeheartedly congratulate him and I know he's going to do an incredible job for us,' he added. Mr Farage said Dr Bull would come to the chairman's role with 'terrific verve, energy, enthusiasm'. He described Dr Bull as a 'terrific communicator' and that his 'job is not to get involved with the admin, is not to get involved in the tech' but rather is to 'give leadership to that volunteer army out there of people'. Mr Farage also said it is 'very good' that the new chairman has television experience, telling reporters that 'message delivery and simplicity of message in politics is very important'. Mr Yusuf returned to Reform over the weekend, just 48 hours after he quit, saying he had made an 'error'. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage speaks during a press conference at Church House in Westminster, London (Jeff Moore/PA) His departure followed an internal row, in which he described a question asked to the Prime Minister by the party's newest MP, Sarah Pochin, about banning the burka as 'dumb'. Mr Farage said on Tuesday he thinks the burka 'probably is anti-British' but that the issue is not going to be 'front line and centre' of their campaigning. Number 10 said on Tuesday that 'the Government just does not believe in mandating what people can and can't wear. It should be left up to people to make those decisions for themselves'. Mr Yusuf will now lead the party's plans to cut public spending – the so-called 'UK Doge', based on the US Department of Government Efficiency which was led by tech billionaire Elon Musk. He described the job on Tuesday as 'one of the most important missions this country will embark on since World War Two'. However, Mr Farage also said the party 'thought hard' about whether to keep the name Doge in the wake of Mr Musk's departure from the US administration, but polling suggested the idea was still popular. 'There was a UK name that we thought we'd use, and then what polling showed us is that one of the things that's wildly popular in the UK that's happening in America is the concept of Doge, and that Doge had seeped into public consciousness and that to attempt to rebrand that would be a hell of a difficult effort'. (PA Graphics) During the press conference Mr Farage was also asked about his party's position on the death penalty. He said he thought that the issue would be 'back within the next decade as an issue of major national debate' but described it as an issue 'of conscience' and that 'these things will not be party policy'. The Prime Minister's official spokesman later said: 'The Government is opposed to the death penalty as a matter of principle. I think it is a long-standing position of many governments of many colours and that position has not changed.' According to the latest figures from YouGov, Reform is polling at 29% when it comes to national voting intention, ahead of Labour on 23% and the Conservatives on 17%.
North Wales Chronicle
39 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Former Most Haunted Live! presenter David Bull named new chairman of Reform UK
The former television presenter and medical doctor was announced as the party's chairman at a press conference in Westminster, as leader Nigel Farage told reporters that his job would be to 'give leadership' and 'not to get involved with the admin'. The appointment of Dr Bull, who previously presented Watchdog, Tomorrow's World and Most Haunted Live!, comes after businessman Zia Yusuf resigned from the position last week following an internal row over the party's position on the burka. Speaking at the press conference, Mr Yusuf said he was 'hugely excited' that former MEP Dr Bull was taking the role. 'This party is no longer a start-up,' Mr Yusuf told reporters. 'I think it's gone to a scale-up phase … the reality is what we need now in a chairman is someone who is an incredible communicator, someone who's loved universally across the party … someone who's going to I think do a better job than me at energising volunteers on the front line.' 'I wholeheartedly congratulate him and I know he's going to do an incredible job for us,' he added. Mr Farage said Dr Bull would come to the chairman's role with 'terrific verve, energy, enthusiasm'. He described Dr Bull as a 'terrific communicator' and that his 'job is not to get involved with the admin, is not to get involved in the tech' but rather is to 'give leadership to that volunteer army out there of people'. Mr Farage also said it is 'very good' that the new chairman has television experience, telling reporters that 'message delivery and simplicity of message in politics is very important'. Mr Yusuf returned to Reform over the weekend, just 48 hours after he quit, saying he had made an 'error'. His departure followed an internal row, in which he described a question asked to the Prime Minister by the party's newest MP, Sarah Pochin, about banning the burka as 'dumb'. Mr Farage said on Tuesday he thinks the burka 'probably is anti-British' but that the issue is not going to be 'front line and centre' of their campaigning. Number 10 said on Tuesday that 'the Government just does not believe in mandating what people can and can't wear. It should be left up to people to make those decisions for themselves'. Mr Yusuf will now lead the party's plans to cut public spending – the so-called 'UK Doge', based on the US Department of Government Efficiency which was led by tech billionaire Elon Musk. He described the job on Tuesday as 'one of the most important missions this country will embark on since World War Two'. However, Mr Farage also said the party 'thought hard' about whether to keep the name Doge in the wake of Mr Musk's departure from the US administration, but polling suggested the idea was still popular. 'There was a UK name that we thought we'd use, and then what polling showed us is that one of the things that's wildly popular in the UK that's happening in America is the concept of Doge, and that Doge had seeped into public consciousness and that to attempt to rebrand that would be a hell of a difficult effort'. During the press conference Mr Farage was also asked about his party's position on the death penalty. He said he thought that the issue would be 'back within the next decade as an issue of major national debate' but described it as an issue 'of conscience' and that 'these things will not be party policy'. The Prime Minister's official spokesman later said: 'The Government is opposed to the death penalty as a matter of principle. I think it is a long-standing position of many governments of many colours and that position has not changed.' According to the latest figures from YouGov, Reform is polling at 29% when it comes to national voting intention, ahead of Labour on 23% and the Conservatives on 17%.
South Wales Guardian
40 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Foreign Office staff told to consider resigning if they disagree on Gaza
Some 300 staff at the Government department, based in the UK and offices abroad, sent a letter to Foreign Secretary David Lammy raising concerns about Israel's conduct in Gaza, the BBC reported. The letter warned of 'complicity' in Israel's actions and questioned continued UK arms sales to the country, according to the broadcaster. The Foreign Office's two most senior officials, Sir Oliver Robbins and Nick Dyer, responded to the letter. 'If your disagreement with any aspect of Government policy or action is profound your ultimate recourse is to resign from the Civil Service. This is an honourable course,' they told staff in their reply. The two Foreign Office bosses insisted they wanted to see a 'healthy challenge' to policy but said it was up to civil servants to deliver on the will of the Government. The letter, which follows several other similar missives to Civil Service chiefs, was signed on May 16, the BBC reported. In it, the signatories said: 'In July 2024, staff expressed concern about Israel's violations of international humanitarian law and potential UK government complicity. 'In the intervening period, the reality of Israel's disregard for international law has become more stark.' They went on to list the killing by Israeli forces of 15 aid workers in March, and the blockade on aid into Gaza, among their concerns. They added that 'supported by the Trump administration, the Israeli government has made explicit plans for the forcible transfer of Gaza's population'. Ministers' official line is that Israel is 'at risk' of breaching international law with its actions in Gaza. The Government halted 30 out of around 350 arms sales licences to Israel in September last year, for fear they may be used for war crimes. MPs critical of Israel's actions have called on ministers to go further, and to halt all UK arms sales to the country. A Foreign Office spokesperson said: 'Since day one, this Government has rigorously applied international law in relation to the war in Gaza. 'One of our first acts in Government was to suspend export licences that could be used by the Israeli Defence Forces in Gaza. 'We have successfully implemented the suspension decision and continue to refuse all relevant licence applications. 'We have suspended direct exports of F-35 parts for use by Israel, and we categorically do not export any bombs or ammunition which could be used in Gaza. 'We have also suspended negotiations on a free trade agreement, while supporting humanitarian efforts through the restoration of funding to UNRWA, and the commitment of over £230 million in assistance across the past two financial years.' They added: 'It is the job of civil servants to deliver on the policies of the government of the day and to provide professional, impartial advice as set out in the Civil Service Code. There are systems in place which allow them to raise concerns if they have them.' The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) said the Foreign Office's reply to the letter from civil servants was 'hopelessly inadequate', and the suggestion they could resign 'simply reprehensible'. PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: 'The response from Oliver Robbins and Nick Dyer to the concerns of staff in FCDO is consistent with the attitude displayed by Civil Service management all along, in that it is hopelessly inadequate. 'There has been little effort to address our members' concerns and no effort to justify the UK Government's interactions with the government of Israel, despite our genuine concerns over its potential failure to comply with its obligations under international and domestic law.' The PCS chief said she had raised the International Court of Justice ruling 'that some of the alleged acts by Israel in Gaza could potentially be considered within the provisions of the Genocide Convention' last year. 'We were clear that PCS concurred with that view. The horrors visited upon the people of Gaza since then have only reinforced our view,' she said. Ms Heathcote added: 'As for the suggestion that civil servants may wish to resign if they are uncomfortable with what they are being asked to do – this is simply reprehensible. 'It is a dereliction of duty and a startling ignorance of the provisions of the Civil Service code, which require all civil servants to act in accordance with the law, including international law.'
