Unobserved

We were told over the week-end that offenders released early or under community service orders over the past two years committed 94 murders and 105 rapes. Adding in all other serious offences brings in a total of 1000. Those under supervision in the two years ending April 2009, committed on average 10 serious crimes a week.

The Ministry of Justice rings its hands and sends its sympathy to those who have suffered.

Questions need to asked. All the offenders had been convicted of offences previously. This means one or more of three things. The prison service has failed in a big way to spot potential further offenders in allowing early release , the judiciary in permitting non-custodial sentences and the probation service in its supervision.

Behind all these three are government departments who deny extra prison space and/or finance, and who seem incapable of consistent management.