§ Mr. HumeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what grounds a life sentence prisoner may be released prior to the standard 10-year review.
§ Mr. MatesA life sentence prisoner may be released at any time at the discretion of the Secretary of State. In practice release before 10 years in custody may take place only where exceptional circumstances exist relating to the crime itself and the offender's role in it; on medical grounds; or where the prisoner has given significant assistance to the authorities which has put his/her life in danger.
§ Mr. HumeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the names of any life sentence prisoners released in the past six years prior to the standard 10-year review, the dates of such releases, the grounds for each release and the respective times served.
§ Mr. MatesSeven such prisoners have been released on licence during this period: one in 1988 after six years; one in 1990 after eight years; four in 1991 after six, seven, eight and nine years respectively; and one this year after seven years. Those released had served an appropriate time to mark their offences. With the exception of those released after eight years in 1990 and nine years in 1991, the period served for retribution took into account significant assistance to the authorities. It would not be appropriate to give the names of the individuals concerned.
§ Mr. HumeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arrangements exist to grant early release to life sentence prisoners in exchange for information and to assist such persons with relocation; and whether final decisions on such matters are taken at ministerial level.
§ Mr. MatesA reduction in the retributive period may be given to those serving life sentences in exchange for information, based on the quality and quantity of the information provided; its accuracy; the willingness of the informant to confront those apprehended on the strength of his/her evidence; and the degree to which the informant and his/her family are put at risk of reprisal. All such decisions are taken by Ministers. Such individuals are released into the protection of the police.
196W
Number of persons convicted and sentenced to immediate custody for certain offences in the Metropolitan police (including City of London) and England and Wales, by sex and length of sentence 1989, 1990 and 1991 Length of sentence Area/offence Year Total found guilty Immediate custody 4 months and under Over 4 months, up to 6 months Over 6 months, up to 1 year Over 1 year, up to 18 months Over 18 months, up to 2 years Over 2 years, up to 3 years Over 3 years, up to 4 years Over 4 years, up to 5 years METROPOLITAN POLICE DISTRICT1 Living on earnings of prostitution or exercising control over prostitute Sexual Offences Act 1956, Sections 30 and 31 1989 M 30 16 2 4 1 5 3 — — 1 F 4 — — — — — — — — — 1990 M 20 8 — 1 4 — — 3 — — F 7 — — — — — — — — — 1991 M 22 11 3 1 4 — 1 1 1 — F 1 — — — — — — — — — Living wholly or in part on the earnings of male prostitution Sexual Offences Act 1967, Section 5(1) 1989 M — — — — — — — — — — F 1 — — — — — — — — — 1990 M 2 2 — — — — 1 1 — — F — — — — — — — — — — 1991 M — — — — — — — — — — F — — — — — — — — — —
§ Mr. HumeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the respective criteria for life sentence reviews applied by the Life Sentence Review Board, judges and the Secretary of State or Minister.
§ Mr. MatesLife sentence cases are reviewed in order to assess whether a sufficient period has been served to mark the gravity of the offence and whether the risk of reoffending is remote. These criteria are applied by the board, the judiciary and Ministers.