§ The Marquess of Ailesburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Daily Telegraph of 9th November correctly reported that a man sentenced to 30 months' imprisonment for a crime of violence in January 1984 was released on parole after serving 10 months; and, if so, whether they will state the percentage of men sentenced to imprisonment for crimes of violence who leave prison after serving less than half the sentence.
§ Lord GlenarthurThe individual in question was sentenced to 30 months' imprisonment on 10th January 1984 for inflicting grievous bodily harm. He was granted parole on 23rd November 1984 on a licence due to expire on 23rd September 1985—the date on which he would have been released from prison with remission if parole had not been granted.
Prisoners serving sentences of under 10½ months are not eligible for release on parole and thus must serve at least two thirds of their sentence in prison, subject to loss of remission.
It is estimated that males aged 21 or over serving determinate sentences for offences involving violence against the person, rape, buggery and gross indecency between males, aggravated burglary and robbery who were eligible for parole and who were released during the year ending 30th September 1985 served on average 55 per cent. of their sentence in prison and 12 per cent. on licence. About 40 per cent. served less than half their sentence in prison. Persons serving sentences of over five years of offences of violence and drug trafficking are released on parole only when release under supervison for a few months before the end of a sentence is likely to reduce the long-term risk to the public or in circumstances which are genuinely exceptional.