EU overruling UK Home Secretary's authority on prison sentences

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May 28th, 2002, 07:03 AM
HarryW

EU overruling UK Home Secretary's authority on prison sentences

FYI (for those not familiar with the way this works in the UK): After the minimum term of a 'life' sentence is served, a parole board gives a recommendation to the Home Secretary who then decides whether or not the prisoner should be released. The final decision rests with the Home Secretary.

News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/...00/2012232.stm

Just wondering what people think of this. A lot of fuss is being made in the media about the prospect of some more notorious criminals (currently serving life sentences) being released since they are past their minimum sentence.

I am struggling to see why a politician is in a better position to make a decision about this than a parole board.
May 28th, 2002, 07:17 AM
Jim Brown

Well I think, once their minimum sentence is served, Plendy's medical experiment clause should kick in. They should be asked if they want to sign up for a stint in the lab, to the greater good of humanity yadda yadda, or else it's back in the nick.

If they survive the lab stint, then they get the option to renew or once more, it's back in the nick.
May 28th, 2002, 07:39 AM
plenderj

Something I might mention is that EU law supersedes all domestic laws.
My girlfriend studied EU law last year in her accounting course and well thats the way things work.

But yes, I would like to think that life means life.
May 28th, 2002, 07:50 AM
MerrionComputin

I think Life is a legal term that means a long time unless you tack on the phrase without possibility of parole.

This boils down to the purpose of prison. If it is to reform the criminal then a life-means-life sentence will be contrary to that. If it is to punish the criminal then life should mean life.
May 28th, 2002, 07:55 AM
Gary.Lowe

I think prisoner should be used to help the community like using them as free labour.
May 28th, 2002, 09:51 AM
HarryW

Who is Mo Slater?
May 28th, 2002, 12:50 PM
chrisjk

Character in EastEnders :rolleyes:

it's all a load of balls anyway, nobody listens to the European courts. France has been defying them for years and haven't been punished.
May 28th, 2002, 12:51 PM
parksie

Quote:

Originally posted by chrisjk
Character in EastEnders :rolleyes:

it's all a load of balls anyway, nobody listens to the European courts. France has been defying them for years and haven't been punished.

Other than the fact that they have to be French :D
May 28th, 2002, 12:53 PM
chrisjk

harsh ;)
May 28th, 2002, 12:59 PM
Wally Pipp

To hell with Europe. Nuke it, from The Emerald Island to the Oeral, from the Fjords to Sicily. Bombs away and be done with it.