Life prisoners out early are returning to crime

13 April 2012

Nearly 90 prisoners given life sentences committed new offences last year after being released on parole, official figures reveal today.

In its annual report, the Parole Board also disclosed that a further 302 crimes were committed last year by other serious offenders freed from prison before completing their sentences.

The revelations will heighten concern about the release of potentially dangerous criminals following the murders of City financier John Monckton and Hampshire mother Naomi Bryant.

Both were killed by ex-convicts, prompting demands for a firmer approach towards the freeing of violent inmates.

Today's figures give some sign of that happening, showing that in the six months since April nearly nine out of 10 applications for parole by prisoners serving life were turned down, with only 11.8 per cent approved for release.

That compares with a 23 per cent release rate for the year ending in March and a similar proportion of approvals in previous years, when only three-quarters of applications were turned down.

The Parole Board says the sharp fall is evidence that it has taken on board public concern and is now erring more heavily on the side of caution when deciding release applications.

There will still be concern, however, about the level of re-offending. The report says that in the 12 months to March, 87 lifers released on licence were recalled after allegations they had committed further crimes.

No details are given of the offences but separate statistics released by the board show that 25 prisoners serving life have been re-convicted in the past six years for committing a serious violent or sexual crime after being freed.

Other statistics published in the report show that in 2004-5:

Overall, 9,296 freed prisoners were recalled for breaches of release conditions, including re-offending.

358 sex offenders serving four years or more were approved for release, with 670 applications refused.

Half of all prisoners covering all offences who applied for parole last year were granted their freedom. The release rate was the lowest since 2001.

Sir Duncan Nichol, the Parole Board chairman, accepted public concern about re-offending by freed convicts would continue but said parole panels were paying increased attention to convicts' original offences and were wary of placing too much emphasis on good behaviour in jail.

Mr Monckton was murdered at his Chelsea home in November 2004. Damien Hanson carried out the murder with his accomplice Elliot White shortly after being freed less than twothirds of the way through a 12-year sentence for attempted murder.

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