§ Miss WiddecombeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners subject to the provisions of the Sex Offenders Act 1997 have been released on the Home Detention Curfew Scheme to date; what offences they committed; what was the sentence(a) received and (b) served in each case; and if he will make a statement. [117718]
§ Mr. Straw[holding answer 5 April 2000]: As of 3 April, one prisoner subject to the provisions of the Sex Offenders Act 1997 has been released on the Home Detention Curfew scheme. The original offence of which the prisoner was convicted was unlawful sexual intercourse with a female aged 15. The prisoner received a sentence of six months and served a sentence of 35 days.
600WSex offenders subject to the 1997 Act may be released on Home Detention Curfew only in exceptional circumstances and in all such cases only with the consent of the Director General. In this case, the requirement was not followed by the prison establishment concerned and the eligibility date was calculated wrongly; the prisoner was released after 35 days instead of the 46 days that should have been served.
I have asked the Director General for a report. He has advised me that, wholly contrary to the procedure put in place by Ministers, his approval was not sought in this case. Furthermore, the period of the sentence to be served was reduced by 11 days as a result of an administrative error. The administrative procedures have now been strengthened and the Director General has written to all establishments reminding them of the particular considerations that apply to sex offenders subject to the provisions of the 1997 Act and the requirement at all times to seek his consent.
While this failure to follow the correct procedures is highly regrettable, I am satisfied that in this case there was no risk to the public, nor has the offender concerned been arrested, charged or convicted of any further offence.