Category: Latest News

The Criminal Cases Review Commission referred several cases to the Court of Appeal, which involved allegations of public order related to trade union activity. They included the case of the actor Ricky Tomlinson who had been convicted in 1973 of conspiracy to intimidate, unlawful assembly and affray and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.  There was… Continue reading Non-Disclosure and Prejudice

Ofsted has announced a review into sexual abuse in schools. The review will consider the processes that schools, and colleges have in place regarding whether they are good enough to allow pupils to report abuse freely.  Why conduct a review? A website, “Everyone’s Invited”, published anonymised accounts of sexual abuse – many of the reports… Continue reading Sexual Abuse in Schools

During the Covid pandemic, there have been significant limits and halts to prison visits. Once we are out of lockdown, there should be a gradual return to standard visits, so what happens and what are the rules? The Prison Rules, in particular Rule 35, set out the entitlements to visits for prisoners. A prisoner is… Continue reading Prison Visits

Every prisoner is given a security category. For female prisoners, there are only two options, closed or open condition. For male prisoners, there are four categories, A to D. What do the categories mean? Female prisoners:  Closed conditions are for female prisoners who present too high a risk for open conditions; these are for those… Continue reading Prison Categorisation

An evidence-based practice team from HM Prison and Probation Services have produced a report entitled “An evaluation of a brief intervention to reduce re-offending among women serving short sentences.” Over 12 months, a study was made of 255 women who were in the last 6-8 weeks of their sentence where that sentence had been less… Continue reading Women on Short-Term Sentences

In 2006 the Association of Chief Police Officers, known as ACPO, founded a Criminal Records Office, now known as ACRO. The intention was for ACRO to organise the management of criminal record information and improve links between the records and biometric information. ACRO’s principal functions are providing police certificates, international child protection certificates and responses… Continue reading Deletion of Police Records

A recent Court of Appeal case has ruled on the appropriateness of protective orders when a life sentence is in place. In GD’s case, the Court imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) alongside an indeterminate life sentence.  On appeal, the question was whether making the SHPO was wrong in principle. GD had committed several… Continue reading Life Sentences with Further Orders

There is a criminal offence of intentionally assisting offences believing one or more will be committed.  Jordan Atkinson was charged with this offence and sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment. The offence he assisted was wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Several co-accused were convicted of murder, wounding and assisting an offender. Atkinson appealed… Continue reading Intentionally Assisting Offences

Police forces must explain the disproportionate use of police powers such as stop and search and use of force on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people or risk losing the trust of the communities they serve, a report published today has found. The Police Service Inspectorate (HMICFRS) aid that despite having more data on the… Continue reading Police Stop & Search – Time to Rethink?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a broad range of conditions which are characterised by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviours, speech and non-verbal communications.  Autism is generally a hidden disability, and it may not be immediately apparent that a person has it, and they may be undiagnosed. A person with autism may become involved… Continue reading Autism And Crime