We've discussed the disgraceful IPP situation many times on here and now we have yet another report, this time from the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies. Of course it all makes perfect sense in charting a way forward in sorting the situation, but I suspect it sadly falls into that political category of 'too difficult to handle' and joins that other thorny matter of drugs. Our polarised and toxic political environment, controlled as it is by the right-wing tabloid press, sadly means no common sense can be heard on either topic due to it being inevitably categorised as 'soft on criminals and/or drugs'.
A perfect example of the situation is provided by Cruella Braverman the other day flying the kite of designating cannabis as a Class A drug. Complete bollocks as an idea of course, but absolutely typical of a politician 'on the make' aiming for supportive headlines in the likes of the Daily Mail. Happily she is highly likely to disappear without trace at the next General Election, such is the state of the developing Tory party implosion. However, I suspect there is zero chance of any incoming Labour government going public in support of either drug or IPP reform. Report announcement here:-
Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) has memorably been described by a former Supreme Court Judge, Lord Brown, as “the greatest single stain on our criminal justice system”.
The present report explores some of the main reasons for that assessment. It is a compilation and review of the available evidence about the psychological impacts of the sentence, covering:
- Pre-existing conditions affecting many subjected to the IPP sentence
- Feelings of uncertainty and helplessness the sentence provokes
- The psychological obstacle course those subject to the IPP sentence are expected to negotiate
- The long-term effects of the sentence
- The persistence of anxiety, even following release and resettlement
The whole history of IPP should be the subject of concerted political, legal and psychological inquiry, so that its systematic flaws can be determined. In its place there should be a coherent alternative framework that will inform future criminal justice legislation and can be incorporated in an overarching constitutional law.
Recommendations include:
- The release, without delay, of prisoners on IPP sentences who have served time beyond the tariff set by the court.
- The setting of a clear, determinate, release date for all other IPP sentenced prisoners, either through judicial or executive decision-making.
- Mental health assessments and safeguarding measures should be part of the planning and support arrangements for release.
- A programme of close and immediate support for released IPP prisoners to enable them to adjust satisfactorily to freedom.
- The offer of adequate and prompt state reparations to IPP prisoners, on the basis of failures to provide programmes or meet known mental health needs, and unjustified time in confinement.
- The creation of an overarching legislative Code, influenced by provisions in the Human Rights Act, against which any future proposals for legislation on indefinite detention should be tested.
Cruella yes of course. She is spite filled foolish woman and anything she touches will be ruinous. Basking in her own racism
ReplyDeleteIn attacking critiscing indian overstayers as majority . She has single handedly put the truss India trade deal at risk as their prime minister is furious. Tory useless team come on general election.
https://www.bridportnews.co.uk/news/23043835.dorset-police-crime-commissioners-row-drugs-policy/
ReplyDeleteA MINI-feud has erupted between Dorset's past and current police and crime commissioners.
DeleteThe row comes after current commissioner David Sidwick called for cannabis to be reclassified as a Class A drug and backed calls for random drug testing for criminals in probation hostels.
In an interview with the Echo, Mr Sidwick said the issue of drug crime had "never really been spoken about" under his predecessor Martyn Underhill - saying Mr Underhill's police and crime plan was, in his opinion, a "social workers' charter."
He also said some 'misguided' politicians "seemed to be swayed by the entrepreneurship of drugs rather than, as they should be, the impact on communities".
Mr Underhill, now a senior lecturer at Bournemouth University, hit back and said the issue should be left to experts.
He said: "Sadly, David is one of those (Conservative Party members) who believes “locking everybody up” is the solution.
"Remember he was previously a pharmaceutical sales rep, not a scientist!
"I have always believed we should try another way to deal with substance misuse. The lack of state intervention with alcohol abuse and the criminalisation of drug use are both approaches that haven't worked for decades. There has to be another way.
"I suggest he leaves substance abuse to the experts, and worries more about the appalling electoral result in Christchurch (last week), which mirrors the public’s view of his party locally and nationally."
As well as calling for cannabis to be reclassified, the current commissioner said he backed proposals touted by the Government that would see ex-prisoners at probation hostels randomly tested for 14 different drugs.
He said: "One of the biggest problems we have is how easy it is for our prison population to slip back into their habits and the more wrap-around interventions we can do to prevent that, then, the better.
"It's part of a whole swathe of interventions to ensure positive outcomes - getting back into employment, getting housing and staying away from those old habits.
"To have random testing in a probation setting, there is a lot to be said for that because you can pick up where people are falling off before further offences are committed."
A key focus, Mr Sidwick says, should be on prevention.
He explained: "There is virtually no, apart from a few passionate charities, messaging about prevention - I know there are apartment blocks in Dorset where people's lives are being made by one or two residents smoking weed and puffing it across the building. It's having a serious impact and we need to address it."