§ Mrs. EllmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made in providing support for people who have been wrongfully convicted. [157445]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe Home Office has set up a working party to look at what might be needed, in terms of advice and counselling, needed by those released after successful appeal against conviction. A report has been prepared by a consultant and recommendations will go to Ministers by the summer.
§ Mrs. EllmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been released on grounds of wrongful conviction in the past five years. [157446]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeProvisional figures relating to prisoners whose appeal was upheld on release and who were discharged on appeal for the past five years are shown in the table.
Provisional figures for this year from 1 January to 28 February, inclusive, show that of the 13,587 final discharges so far, 58 had their appeal upheld on release and 25 were discharged on appeal.
Number of prisoners whose appeal was upheld on their final release from prison, and the number of prisoners who were discharged on appeal, for the past five years Year Appeal upheld on release Discharged on appeal 1996 222 218 1997 231 251 1998 404 287 1999 473 282 2000 405 220 Total 1,735 1,258