§ Mr. Howieasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement about remission in detention centres.
§ Mr. CallaghanYes. I have decided that the remission which may be earned by a young person subject to a detention centre order should be increased from one-sixth to one-third of his sentence. This will require an amendment to the Detention Centre Rules. I am laying a statutory instrument before Parliament today.
Experience has shown that there would be advantage in allowing a larger proportion of the sentence than at present to be earned in remission. The principal benefit would be to discipline, since detainees would have more to gain or lose than at present. This advantage would apply not only during the period of detention but also during the period of supervision after release, since the available period of recall would be greater.
The Sub-Committee of the Advisory Council on the Penal System who, under the Chairmanship of the Bishop of Exeter, are at present reviewing the operation of detention centres, see no reason why this change in the period of remission should not be made while their review is in progress.