Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Crispin Blunt and Tom Blenkinsop

Tuesday 3rd July 2012 Commons Chamber

[Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland) (Lab)]

5. What assessment he has made of the potential effect on public safety of the abolition of sentences of imprisonment for public protection.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Mr Crispin Blunt)]

As the published impact assessment for the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 makes clear, the continuing regime of life sentences and a new mandatory life sentence for a second very serious offence, as well as longer custodial periods and extended licence periods, all supported by compulsory sentence plans and multi-agency public protection arrangements—MAPPA—supervision, will ensure that there are sufficient measures to manage risk and uphold public protection.

[Tom Blenkinsop]

I thank the Minister for his response, but the Justice Secretary is on record saying that the number of those currently in prison who have served beyond their minimum tariff on an IPP sentence is a scandal. What proposals does the Minister of State intend to make on the release test for those on IPP sentences?

[Mr Blunt]

There are no immediate proposals to change the release test. In March, there were 3,500 IPP prisoners serving beyond their tariff, a result of the administrative chaos that followed the unwise introduction of the sentence, with wholly unforeseen numbers being given such a sentence. I draw the hon. Gentleman’s attention to the fact that, in addition to the measures I have outlined, violent offender orders and sex offending prevention orders will be available to the courts to use for public protection.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Crispin Blunt and Tom Blenkinsop

Tuesday 13th December 2011 Commons Chamber

[Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland) (Lab)]

T8. How many EU foreign nationals currently in English and Welsh prisons does the Secretary of State expect to be repatriated to their country of origin in the next 12 months?

[Mr Blunt]

rose—

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Crispin Blunt and Tom Blenkinsop

Tuesday 15th June 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Blunt]

The evidence is that short custodial sentences are not working. They produce terrible reoffending rates. We do not have the capacity in the probation service to address people on licence, which is one reason why they do not have any supervision when they leave prison, and we are on the most dreadful merry-go-round. It is one of the glaring gaps in the way that we deal with offenders and reoffending behaviour, and the current Administration will do their level best to address the issue.

[Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland) (Lab)]

4. What recent discussion he has had on reform of libel law.