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| Justice secretary vows to 'fix the sentencing system' | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The Conservatives will "fix the sentencing system" and make sure serious criminals face "tougher" jail terms, the justice secretary has said. | |
| Robert Buckland told Tory conference they would scrap automatic early release of violent or sexual offenders at the halfway point of their sentence. | |
| They will be required to serve two-thirds of their sentence behind bars. | |
| The use of sobriety tags will also be rolled out across the country to monitor criminals after their release. | |
| The ankle bracelets, which detect alcohol levels in the wearer's sweat, would be used on repeat drunken offenders. | |
| They alert the authorities when someone has breached an abstinence order. | |
| 'Coming after you' | |
| The conference is focusing on law and order on Tuesday, with a speech from Home Secretary Priti Patel shortly. | |
| Ms Patel will say that the Conservative Party will reclaim its place as the party of law and order. | Ms Patel will say that the Conservative Party will reclaim its place as the party of law and order. |
| She will say: "To the police service: we back you. And to the criminals, I simply say this: we are coming after you." | She will say: "To the police service: we back you. And to the criminals, I simply say this: we are coming after you." |
| Under the government's proposed changes, offenders in England and Wales will be released at the two-thirds point in their sentence. | Under the government's proposed changes, offenders in England and Wales will be released at the two-thirds point in their sentence. |
| As is currently the case, they will be released under strict licence conditions and if offenders break these conditions, they would be returned to prison. | As is currently the case, they will be released under strict licence conditions and if offenders break these conditions, they would be returned to prison. |
| Mr Buckland said: "We owe it to victims to make this change. | |
| "Don't get me wrong - some form of earlier release has its place in the criminal justice system. It can be used to incentivise good behaviour. But this is not the system we have." | |
| The justice secretary also said the government would take steps to improve rehabilitation of offenders too. | |
| "Conservatives believe in offering a second chance to those who are ready to change," he said. | |
| Peter Clarke, the chief inspector of prisons, recently told the government that the safety of the public is being put at risk by the release of some prisoners. | Peter Clarke, the chief inspector of prisons, recently told the government that the safety of the public is being put at risk by the release of some prisoners. |
| In his 2018-19 annual report, Mr Clarke said thousands of prisoners who were potentially a "high risk of harm" to the public were being released "without proper assessment". | In his 2018-19 annual report, Mr Clarke said thousands of prisoners who were potentially a "high risk of harm" to the public were being released "without proper assessment". |
| Reality Check: what the sentencing reforms mean in practice | Reality Check: what the sentencing reforms mean in practice |
| In 2018, 78,876 offenders were sent immediately to prison after their conviction. | In 2018, 78,876 offenders were sent immediately to prison after their conviction. |
| The vast majority - 90.6% - of those sentenced are eligible for release after serving half of their term, most for short sentences. | The vast majority - 90.6% - of those sentenced are eligible for release after serving half of their term, most for short sentences. |
| Serious offenders can already be made to serve at least two-thirds of their sentence and then face the Parole Board - a body that assesses the prisoner's suitability to be released to the public. | Serious offenders can already be made to serve at least two-thirds of their sentence and then face the Parole Board - a body that assesses the prisoner's suitability to be released to the public. |
| Last year, 389 offenders received these "extended sentences". | Last year, 389 offenders received these "extended sentences". |
| However, the prime minister wants to increase the number serving two-thirds of their sentence, by proposing that all prisoners serving four years or more for a serious violent or sexual offence are no longer eligible for automatic release at the halfway point. | However, the prime minister wants to increase the number serving two-thirds of their sentence, by proposing that all prisoners serving four years or more for a serious violent or sexual offence are no longer eligible for automatic release at the halfway point. |
| For example, last year 606 offenders were put in jail for four or more years for rape - an offence that carries a maximum life imprisonment - and will currently be released half way through their sentence. | For example, last year 606 offenders were put in jail for four or more years for rape - an offence that carries a maximum life imprisonment - and will currently be released half way through their sentence. |
| Under the new plans, they would have to serve at least two-thirds of their sentence. | Under the new plans, they would have to serve at least two-thirds of their sentence. |
| The government expects this to increase the prison population by 3,000. | The government expects this to increase the prison population by 3,000. |