Jail remission laws are outlined

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7084082.stm

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New laws to end 50% remission for all prisoners in Northern Ireland will be outlined by the government later.

The legislation, due to be in force by next summer, will also mean tougher sentences for the most serious crimes.

The government has been pressed to end 50% remission since the murder of Strabane pensioner Attracta Harron almost four years ago.

Her killer had been released from prison just weeks earlier after serving half of a seven-year sentence for rape.

Security Minister Paul Goggins is to outline the proposed new laws in the House of Commons.

BBC Northern Ireland home affairs correspondent Vincent Kearney said judges would have the power to impose longer sentences on the most serious sexual and violent offenders who will have to serve their full sentence before even being considered for release.

Under the new legislation, electronic tagging will be introduced for some offenders, and judges will also be able to impose curfews.