Priti Patel - Stick - Wrong End - Again

PUBLISHED: 00:01, 19 December 2012 | UPDATED: 00:36, 19 December 201

Nearly 50,000 criminals spared jail offend again within a year: MPs claim 'shocking' figures show failure by probation officers

"Convicts including violent thugs spared jail committed another offence

Tory MPs have said figures show a problem with the probation service

Justice Secretary announced plans to tackle entrenched reoffending

"Around 50,000 criminals who were spared jail went on to commit another crime within a year, figures revealed yesterday.

The convicts – including violent thugs, burglars and drug dealers – were handed community service or a suspended jail term, leaving them free to commit new crimes.

Within 12 months, a total of 49,636 offenders who were not put behind bars were convicted of another offence. Had they been jailed, they would have been unable to offend again."

"Tory MP Priti Patel said: ‘These are quite shocking figures. They demonstrate the true extent of reoffending. ‘There is clearly a problem with the probation service which is not working well to deal with this issue."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2250255/Nearly-50-000-criminals-spared-jail-offend-year-MPs-claim-shocking-figures-failure-probation-officers.html

Rafting For Votes

Published: 12 hrs ago

We’ll stick GPS tags on paedos [sic]

"Justice supremo's [sic] pledge as The Sun's Justice Campaigners launch fight for victims' rights

A RAFT of measures were promised by Justice Secretary Chris Grayling yesterday after The Sun launched a campaign to help [sic] victims of paedophiles [sic].

He said child offenders [ah] will be forced to wear GPS tags following their release.

Using the same technology as car sat navs, they will show cops exactly where a paedophile [sic] is. Mr Grayling, writing for The Sun [sic] below, also said children will no longer be “ignored” [sic] if they ask for help after attacks.

And he said child protection services, councils and police will work together and share information. [like they do not, now?]

"myView

By CHRIS GRAYLING, Justice Secretary

I’VE been absolutely horrified by the Rochdale child sex abuse [weasel word] cases earlier this year and by the more recent revelations about Jimmy Savile [Mr Savile is, presently, innocent]. The sheer numbers [sic] of young people who suffered [sic] at the hands of these predators [sic] is simply shocking.

But it is a tragedy every time a child is abused [weasel word]. It is a tragedy every time a child’s trust is trashed [sic], their vulnerability exploited and they are harmed [sic] by the adults who should be looking after them.

What’s striking about these two horrendous litanies of abuse [Mr Savile is, presently, innocent] is that it seems some victims did try to speak out, but they weren’t listened to, or weren’t taken seriously.

Staff who work on the front line, in child protection services, local authorities and the police have incredibly difficult jobs. We need to make sure all these parts of the system really are joined up, that they share information and that they are trained.

We have to make sure children stop falling through the cracks, ignored when they ask for help. And there are other things we can do to crack down on predators [sic].

Like greater use of state-of-the-art [sic] GPS technology that we’re going to be trialling and rolling out, so that we really would know whether a paedophile [sic] was, for example, hanging around the school gates.

All of this is why I welcome The Sun’s campaign.

Protecting our children must be an absolute priority. [no, Chris, Justice is, or should be]"

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/politics/4602180/Well-stick-GPS-tags-on-paedos.html#ixzz2A1pMv3gC

PUBLISHED: 12:12, 22 October 2012 | UPDATED: 13:16, 22 October 2012

Paedophiles [sic] will be forced to wear GPS tags to track their movements after release from prison, says Justice minister

"Repeat offenders believed to be of potential risk of harming members of the public, such as child sex offenders, will be forced to wear ankle tags similar to those used to monitor curfews.

The GPS tags will be used in addition to the current system where a person convicted of sexual abuse is put on the Sex Offenders Register through contacting the police within 72 hours of their release from prison.

Convicts must give their name, date of birth, home address and national insurance number as well as details of any vehicles they own.

According to the Home Office, the compliance rate is around 97 per cent. Convicted sex offenders who fail to register with their local police are fined and may face a jail sentence of up to five years.

Professions with responsibility for the wellbeing of children; head teachers, doctors, youth leaders, sports club managers and others, including land lords, are notified of the existence of a local sex offender on a confidential basis.

UK police also use the Violent and Sex Offenders Register (ViSOR) which includes all registered sex offenders, people jailed for more than 12 months for a violent offence but also innocent people with no convictions which are thought to be at risk of offending."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2221331/Paedophiles-forced-wear-GPS-tags-track-movements-release-prison.html#ixzz2A2HABOZb

*****

Comment:

general.queries@justice.gsi.gov.uk

FAO: Mr Chris Grayling - Formal Complaint

"Like greater use of state-of-the-art GPS technology that we’re going to be trialling and rolling out, so that we really would know whether a paedophile was, for example, hanging around the school gates."

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/politics/4602180/Well-stick-GPS-tags-on-paedos.html

Mr Grayling, are you so prejudiced against all those with a disability?

http://therealosc.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Paedophilia 

Please treat this as a formal complaint.

Yours,

The OSC

****

Few Give A Damn

Thursday, October 18, 2012 

Inspectors give their verdict on conditions for sex offenders at HMP Bure in Norfolk

"The annual report into Norfolk’s prison for sex offenders has again highlighted “inappropriate” care and facilities for elderly and disabled prisoners.

For the third consecutive year, the issue has been flagged up in the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) report about HMP Bure, which opened in 2009 at the former RAF Coltishall.

It also highlights “totally unacceptable” handling of prisoners with indefinite sentences. A “serious lack of opportunity to complete programmes” means they are held “far beyond a release date that they would otherwise have achieved”.

The IMB report clears the prison managers of any blame, and urges the government to suspend the sentencing exercise to allow a “more robust structure” to be put in place across the country.

The prison houses up to 523 category C male sex offenders, largely from the eastern region."

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/inspectors_give_their_verdict_on_conditions_for_sex_offenders_at_hmp_bure_in_norfolk_1_1660654

What Else Is There In Most PSRs?

Last updated at 16:36, Tuesday, 04 September 2012

Barrow sex offender sentence adjourned after court report complaint

"A SEX offender awaiting sentence for offences against children has had his case put back after his legal representative complained about a court report.

ADJOURNED: KB, who admitted sex offences against a young girl under the age of 13

Judge Simon Newell adjourned sentence on KB for greater detail to be obtained about the man’s previous convictions and the circumstances in which the offences occurred.

Mr Richard Haworth, defending, asked for the case to be adjourned, claiming the pre-sentence report that had been drawn up on B by the probation service “overstepped the mark”.

Mr Haworth said: “There doesn’t appear on my reading and re-reading of the report to be one positive aspect which can be pointed to or identified within the report.

“It is, in effect, 13 pages of negative assessment, so far as Mr B is concerned.

“I submit there is criticism to be levelled at the way the matter has been presented before the court.

“It would be more helpful to the sentencing judge to have a report which is based upon fact and not speculation or fiction.”"

http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/barrow-sex-offender-sentence-adjourned-after-court-report-complaint-1.992081?referrerPath=news/west_cumbria

Long, But Well Worth It

Monday 2nd April 2012

A Reassurance Con? UK Public protection for modern times - Professor Mike Nash

"One of the paradoxes of public protection is that evidence tells us where most risk lies, but we appear determined to react to rare and ‘abnormal’ crimes committed by those presented as monsters. It is as if society needs to believe in these monsters as a means of reaffirming social norms and morality (Douard, 2008/9). Perceptions of dangerousness occur in a distinct context which appears to defy logic. For example, if people are afraid of the dark, putting on the light generally makes things better. In similar ways, there is the light of evidence in our understanding of dangerousness, but this knowledge does not appear to lower our fears, rather a pervasive belief in monsters and demons continues. These fears may feel very real to many people but are surely not the bedrock on which a modern public protection system should rest."

"There is a willingness to accept very illiberal measures and, in particular, to apply these to one particular form of offender (the sex offender) with only perhaps the terrorist suffering similar opprobrium. Brown (2010) developing Foucault’s work on the Abnormal (2003) suggests that rather than the sex offender being a monster and not one of us (O’Malley, 2000) he is instead the representation of ‘unencumbered human nature’; a product of the population itself rather than being apart from it. It is this Brown argues that both drives our fears and fuels our demands for viewing these offenders through the lens of dangerousness. In essence, we are afraid of ourselves."

"The UK has developed a public protection system predicated upon formulaic risk assessments and bureaucratic classification of offenders which leads to increased numbers within the ‘potentially dangerous’ category than arguably need be there. The sex offenders’ register is a classic example. It now has over 37000 people registered but over 35000 of these are classified as Level 1, which means single agency oversight (therefore by definition tending to be lower risk, although not necessarily). The point is that the overall number creates an impression of a massive amount of sex offender risk, when the reality is inclusion on the Register can result from a caution – in other words no criminal conviction. The Register consumes resources; current numbers require at least 37000 annual visits from the police, even at the lowest end of risk. Indeed, there were no additional resources provided when this requirement was introduced by the Labour government in 1997. The Register can provide a degree of monitoring but in terms of prevention is next to useless, although may well assist in detection. Even when backed by live GPS tracking, as I observed in South Korea, the system could track an offender to the scene of a sexual assault but not prevent it. Innovations such as the Register therefore offer pretence of protection but which, in many respects, might be construed as ‘false reassurance’. At the same time the Register’s very inclusiveness and size portrays an impression of a huge problem which in itself justifies more intrusive, restrictive and exclusionary measures. Thus it is hard to avoid the conclusion that many of our so called preventive measures (based on risk of harm assessments) are punishment by another name."

"The response of the prime minister to a recent Supreme Court ruling over sex offender registration periods illustrates this very well. On appeal by an offender subject to lifelong registration (which is triggered by a custodial sentence of 30 months or more), the court decided that continued registration should be determined by the risk posed by the offender (judgement by Lord Phillips, 2010). The Prime Minister, as a result, launched into a tirade against Europe and the ECHR (human rights issues not applying to sex offenders of course), but reluctantly conceded that the UK government would have to comply. However, he said that these offenders would have to remain on the register for 15 years before they could be risk assessed (but where is the evidence suggesting 15 years as the baseline for future risk?). He also indicated that the police would undertake the assessments and that he doubted that many would be deregistered; thus setting the (punitive) agenda well in advance. In a recent article (Nash, 2012), I advocated that our present system of automatic registration which is determined by the sentence imposed, should be reviewed and replaced by individual risk assessments. Here is another of those paradoxes where the government is now to do what I and others have suggested (but with lifelong registrants only), only to set a minimum registration period which is arguably more about punishment than ongoing risk."

http://www.port.ac.uk/departments/academic/icjs/staff/title,1193,en.html

http://www.port.ac.uk/departments/academic/icjs/staff/documentation/filetodownload,154679,en.pdf

Wednesday, 23 May 2012

Prejudice Reinforced 

"'A reassurance con?' is a refreshingly candid canter through the fine mess we've created in the form of a supposed 'world-leading' risk assessment system lovingly known to us all as Mappa. With forensic detail he describes a burgeoning bureaucracy whose success is highly equivocal, consumes a vast amount of resources, has taken our eye off the ball and encouraged a false expectation on the part of the public."

http://probationmatters.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/prejudice-reinforced.html

Vital Solutions, To A Non-Existent Set Of Problems

Home Office - 14 Aug 2012 12:05

Registered sex [sic] offenders face tougher [sic] checks

"All registered sex [sic] offenders will face much tougher [sic] checks as from yesterday (13 August). The new measures will tighten areas of the current law that could be open to exploitation [sic] by offenders who seek to cause harm [sic]."

James Brokenshire, Minister for Crime and Security, said: 'Since the introduction of the Sex Offenders Act 1997, notification requirements have proved [How? Where?] to be a significant [How?] tool in managing the risks posed by convicted sex [sic] offenders.

'These tough [sic] new powers are vital [sic]. They will extend and strengthen the current checks and further enhance our ability to manage potentially dangerous [potentially safe?] individuals living in local communities and keep us all [sic] safe [sic].

'But it is also important that the police and probation services can use them practically. That is why we are publishing this guidance to provide the clarity needed to help all agencies understand the legislation and ensure it is used as effectively as possible to protect the public [sic].'

The new measures received widespread support from voluntary sector organisations, the judiciary, the Association of Chief Police Officers as well as a number of public protection units within police forces." [what a surprise - not]

http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-news-1.nsf/0/D580B7081166AC9C80257A5A003D7FB6

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/media-centre/news/tougher-checks-for-sex-offenders

Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Notification Requirements) (England and Wales) Regulations 2012

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/legislation/sexual-offences-notifications/

Guidance on Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/police/operational-policing/sexual-offences-act-2003?view=Binary  [pdf - RC to save as]

Registration and management of sex offenders under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 - Commons Library Standard Note 

http://www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/SN05267

*****

Comment:

Now, come on, Mr Brokenshire, you and we know, that this was, yet another, populist, quid pro quo, for getting your wrists slapped on the indefinite registration issue.

This is from the man, who "... led the closure of the UK's Forensic Science Service, with the loss of over 2000 jobs, which included skilled forensic/research scientists, many whom have since left the profession" - so much for the safety of the public.

It is all crystal clear, whatever spin you (and your cronies) put on it.

We will keep reminding you (and others), at every stage; until you fade into the ignoble history book, which beckons to all populist politicians.

*****

The Persecution And Prejudice Mission Creep Continues

Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Notification Requirements) (England and Wales) Regulations 2012

"The regulations were approved by the House of Commons on 19 June and by the House of Lords on 5 July and will come into force on 13 August 2012."

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/legislation/sexual-offences-notifications/

The Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Notification Requirements) (England and Wales) Regulations 2012

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2012/9780111521410/introduction

EXPLANATORY NOTE (This note is not part of these Regulations)

"These Regulations amend the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Travel Notification Requirements) Regulations 2004 (SI 2004/1220) (“the 2004 Regulations”) and introduce new notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (“the 2003 Act”).

Part 2 of the 2003 Act imposes notification requirements on offenders convicted of certain sex offences. These offenders are called “relevant offenders”. The 2003 Act requires relevant offenders to notify certain personal information to the police, both at the outset and periodically thereafter (and to notify certain changes of circumstances).

These Regulations amend the 2004 Regulations and impose new notification requirements on relevant offenders.

Regulations 3 to 8 make provision about the application of, or amend, the 2004 Regulations. Regulation 3 contains transitional provision for the 14 day period immediately following the coming into force of these Regulations. Regulation 5 provides that relevant offenders who are required to notify their personal details to the police under Part 2 of the 2003 Act (including those subject to a foreign travel order) must notify the police of any intended travel outside the United Kingdom (regardless of the length of the trip). Previously, the 2004 Regulations only required relevant offenders to notify the police of intended travel outside the United Kingdom for three or more days. Regulation 5 also provides that relevant offenders are required to notify their intended travel not less than seven days before departure, or exceptionally not less than 12 hours before departure. Previously, the 2004 Regulations only permitted relevant offenders to exceptionally notify the intended travel not less than 24 hours before departure. Regulation 6 provides that relevant offenders must notify additional information about their intended travel. Regulations 7 and 8 make consequential amendments to the 2004 Regulations, including provision for relevant offenders to exceptionally notify a change to information previously notified by them less than 12 hours before departure.

Regulation 9 requires relevant offenders who have no sole or main residence to notify every seven days the address or location of a place in the United Kingdom where they can regularly be found. Previously, Part 2 of the 2003 Act required such a relevant offender to give notification once every year.

Regulations 10 and 11 require relevant offenders to notify the police when the relevant offender resides, or stays for at least 12 hours, at a relevant household. A relevant household is a household or other place at which a child (defined as a person aged under 18 years) resides or stays (whether with its parent, guardian or carer, with another child or alone) and to which the public do not have access. The information must include the date on which the relevant offender begins to reside or stay at the relevant household, its address and the period for which the relevant offender intends to reside or stay at that place.

Regulations 12 and 13 impose requirements on relevant offenders to notify information about their bank accounts, and debit and credit cards. It applies to accounts and cards held by relevant offenders in their own names or in the name of an unincorporated business run by them, and whether held singly or jointly with another person.

Regulation 12(1) requires relevant offenders to notify the police about whether they hold an account with a banking institution (defined as a bank, building society or any other institution providing banking services), a debit card in relation to such an account, a credit card account or a credit card. If relevant offenders hold an account or card, they are required to notify the information specified in regulation 12(2) to (7).

Regulation 13 requires relevant offenders to notify a change in any of the circumstances prescribed by that regulation. These circumstances arise where an account is opened or closed, a debit or credit card is obtained, no longer held or has expired and information previously notified by the relevant offenders has altered or become inaccurate or incomplete.

Regulations 14 and 15 require relevant offenders, when giving initial notification under sections 83 to 85 of the 2003 Act, to give certain information in accordance with whether or not they hold a passport, other identity document (which has the meaning given in the Identity Documents Act 2010) or other document. If the relevant offender holds a passport, the information must comprise the passport number and relevant offender’s full name as it appears in the passport. If the relevant offender does not hold a passport but holds another identity document, the information must comprise the description of the identity document, its issue number (if any) and the relevant offender’s full name as it appears in the identity document. If the relevant offender does not hold a passport or other identity document, but holds another document containing information which can verify the relevant offender’s identification, the information must comprise the description of the document, its issue number (if any) and the relevant offender’s full name as it appears in the document.

A full regulatory impact assessment on the effect of this instrument is annexed to the Explanatory Memorandum which is available alongside this instrument on www.legislation.gov.uk."

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2012/9780111521410/note?view=plain

About Changing The Way They Thought

19 July 2012 Last updated at 10:13

Offender behaviour not tackled before release - report

"Prisoner behind bars Many prisons do not have the capacity to run courses aimed at reducing re-offending rates

Serious criminals are leaving prison not having been on programmes designed to stop reoffending, says a report.

Prisons and probation inspectors for England and Wales found no plans to deliver treatment programmes to a third of sex offenders needing them.

Most of the 11 prisons examined lacked capacity to meet demand for courses.

But they said a significant culture shift among staff was also needed, pointing out that a new computer system, designed to improve the management of prisoners, was not being used properly.

Mr Hardwick said: "On the face of it, it is just really disturbing. What's happening on the ground now in terms of offender management is too poor in too many places and needs to be galvanised."

He said: "Sex offenders are being released without adequate interventions to reduce the risk that they will re-offend."

Steve Woodgate, the lead inspector, said: "One in four people in prison in this sample not having been assessed is a bit scary."

He said they were "not being followed up, not being reviewed, nobody's really on the case".

She said: "Some prisoners, and most worryingly, some sexual offenders, are not always able to access the treatment they need to change their behaviour before their release."

NOMS chief executive officer Michael Spurr said there had been a 5% reduction in reoffending since 2000.

"This reflects much better case management both in prison and the community," he said.

"We are targeting resources to reduce risk to the public. Over 1,000 sex offenders completed programmes in custody last year and we will continue to prioritise work on the basis of risk."

He said that transforming the management of offenders was a "significant challenge".

"We have made real progress but accept there is more to be done to break the cycle of reoffending."

Ms Calderbank said if offender management and rehabilitation were not given the same priority as punishment and containment "we will continue to lock up large numbers of people at increasing cost but to very little effect".

"We were looking for work that was done with prisoners during the course of their sentence which was actually about changing the way they thought," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18897212

Sex offenders released with proper treatment to stop reoffending

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/9409349/Sex-offenders-released-with-proper-treatment-to-stop-reoffending.html

'Disturbing' Lack of Rehab For Sex Offenders

http://www.lbc.co.uk/disturbing-lack-of-rehab-for-sex-offenders-57432

Some Sex Offenders Finish Sentences With No Rehabilitation Treatment, Report Finds

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/07/18/sex-offenders-not-receiving-rehabilitation-treatment_n_1682760.html?utm_hp_ref=uk

'Disturbing' Lack of Rehab For Sex Offenders

http://news.sky.com/story/962134/disturbing-lack-of-rehab-for-sex-offenders

Report: Sex offenders are being released without treatment

http://www.itv.com/news/update/2012-07-19/report-sex-offenders-are-being-released-without-treatment/

Prison report 'disturbing read'

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/uk/prison-report-disturbing-read-16186782.html

High-risk sex offenders 'being freed from prison without treatment'

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/highrisk-sex-offenders-being-freed-from-prison-without-treatment-7956998.html

Pushing The Boundaries Of Removing Freedom

22 June 2012 Last updated at 13:06

Retained Met Police photos of suspects breached human rights

"A police decision to retain photographs of two suspects who were never charged has been declared a breach of human rights in a landmark High Court ruling.

Two judges ruled as "unlawful" the Metropolitan Police policy on custody photographs.

The policy is based on the home secretary's code of practice on the management of police information and related guidance."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-18550230

Friday 22 June 2012 14.30 BST

Police may have to destroy photos of innocent people after court ruling

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jun/22/police-photos-innocent-court-ruling

Home Office studies photos ruling

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5hTtsUQYecwN5unE5C2jPTu1_wnnQ?docId=B25764251340377746A00

The Screws Of Persecution and Prejudice Turn Further

"Eighth Delegated Legislation Committee

Tuesday 19 June 2012

[Mrs Linda Riordan in the Chair]

Draft Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Notification Requirements) (England and Wales) Regulations 2012

4.30 pm

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Lynne Featherstone): I beg to move,

That the Committee has considered the draft Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Notification Requirements) (England and Wales) Regulations 2012.

The Chair:

With this it will be convenient to discuss the draft Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Remedial) Order 2012."

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/hansard/commons/this-weeks-public-bill-general-committee-debates/read/?date=2012-06-19&itemId=58

The Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Remedial) Order 2012

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2012/9780111521403/introduction


*****

"Seventh Delegated Legislation Committee

Thursday 21 June 2012

[Mr James Gray in the Chair]

Draft Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2012

8.55 am

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Mr Crispin Blunt):

I beg to move,

That the Committee has considered the draft Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2012."

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/hansard/commons/this-weeks-public-bill-general-committee-debates/read/?date=2012-06-21&itemId=68

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2012

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2012/9780111524237/contents

Citation: HL Deb, 5 July 2012, c875

Motion to Approve: Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Remedial) Order 2012: 4:43 pm

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201213/ldhansrd/text/120705-0002.htm#12070571000090

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/lords/?id=2012-07-05a.875.2

Baroness looks for further powers against sex offenders

http://www.yourthurrock.com/2012/07/10/baroness-looks-for-further-powers-against-sex-offenders/

*****

Comment:

Much more to follow.

*****