Even villains given short sentences of just a few weeks are now qualifying for the new end-of-custody licence (ECL) - a jail 'discount' of 18 days introduced last June to create space in a creaking system. Thus NAPO learnt last week of one inmate, sentenced to 28 days for theft, who was told that he was, like all prisoners (except lifers), entitled to automatic release after serving half his sentence, ie 14 days. But then it was pointed out he also qualified for ECL - this he was actually 'owed' 4 days and could leave immediately. Some are even qualifying for the £56 discharge grant. Brilliant!
I think qualifies for a "What The Fuck" award. Essentially sentences of a calendar month or less are 'get out of jail free' cards, so what is the actual point of giving such a sentence? It's hardly going to deter them from future criminal endeavours is it? If the message they want to get across is "our justice system is an utter fucking shambles, a total joke and ripe for taking the piss out of" then mission accomplished!
Is it any wonder recidivism rates are high? For the career criminal, prison has gone from a something to avoid to becoming a minor inconvenience.
Perhaps Jack Straw could start doing his fucking job?
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