§ Mr. James Whiteasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his policy relating to the remission of outstanding fines of borstal inmates.
§ Mr. MillanParliament introduced—without opposition—the provisions for the Secretary of State to remit outstanding fines to borstal inmates in 1963. Experience had shown that the enforcement, possibly by detention in default, of old fines on youths who had subsequently undergone a substantial period in a penal institution was seldon likely to assist, and could hinder, the rehabilitation of the offender in the period following his release.
There has been no question of relaxation of the criteria for the grant of remission. Remission was granted in 153 cases in 1976—20 per cent. of all borstal releases; the figure for 1971 was 290—30 per cent. of borstal releases. Each case is considered in the light of the inmate's response in borstal and his prospects on release and, in terms of the statutory provision, the court imposing the fine must be consulted whenever remission is contemplated. If a court indicates reasons in the individual case why the remission contemplated is undesirable, I give substantial weight to the court's views, although, in terms of the statute, the ultimate decision is mine. Taking 1976, in only one case was remission granted in the fact of a court's objection out of 153 cases of remission.