§ Baroness Lockwoodasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have to give new directions to the Parole Board following the implementation of Section 103 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. [HL860]
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Williams of Mostyn)Section 103 of the Crime and Disorder Act commenced on 1 January 1999. As a result, all short-term prisoners whose original offences were committed on or after that date and who are subsequently released on licence will be subject to recall by the Parole Board in the same way as those released from long-term sentences.
My right honourable friend the Home Secretary has, therefore, prepared new directions for the Board as to the matters to be taken into account in dealing with such recalls. These directions are being made under the powers given to him by Section 32(6) of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 and are based very closely on the existing directions in respect of long-term prisoners.
The new directions also make clear that there should be a clear presumption in favour of recall in cases where a licensee is charged with an offence committed whilst subject to home detention curfew (HDC). This is because the commission of an offence by a prisoner subject to HDC is clearly a breach of the trust placed in that individual.
My right honourable friend the Home Secretary has written to Usha Prasher, Chairman of the Parole Board, informing her of the new directions. Copies of the new directions have been placed in the Library.