§ Lord Eltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 3 May (H.L. Deb., col. 1950), whether they believe that manslaughter, attempted murder, wounding and grievous bodily harm are not serious offences; and, if not, what the Home Secretary meant when he said (H.C. Deb., 29 November 1999, col. 27) that they had no plans or intention whatever to provide for electronic monitoring to facilitate the early release of serious or sexual offenders. Let me make that clear, with a full-stop—none whatever. [HL2128]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonNo prisoner sentenced to four years or more imprisonment can be released on the home detention curfew (HDC) scheme. The offences referred to by the noble Lord attract a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. That means that the seriousness of any such offence committed by a prisoner released on HDC must, in the judgment of the courts, be at the lower end of the spectrum of seriousness. Under the legislation, violent and sex offenders serving an extended sentence (one that will involve extended supervision) are not eligible for222WA HDC, nor are prisoners who are required to register as sex offenders.