The Lord Chief Justice clarified the circumstances, following judgement in an earlier court case, in which the appropriate sentence for burglary might be a community sentence rather than a custodial one. The Police Federation (representing police officers) said of the judgement that: 'This is another example where the offender and not the victim is being put at the centre of the criminal justice system's concerns'.
Source: Letter sent by the Lord Chief Justice to all Circuit Judges and Chairmen of Magistrates' Benches in England and Wales, 23.12.02 | Press release 20.12.02, Police Federation of England and Wales (020 8335 1000)
Links: Text of letter | PF press release
Date: 2002-Dec
The Law Lords ruled that judges, rather than the Home Secretary, should determine the tariff for those sentenced to life imprisonment. More than 200 murderers could have their jail term cut, and up to 70 could be entitled to immediate release.
Source: Regina v. Lichniak and Regina v. Pyrah, UKHL 47, House of Lords Judicial Office (020 7219 3111)
Links: Judgement | Hansard | Community Care article | Guardian report
Date: 2002-Nov
The government said it agreed with comments by the Lord Chief Justice (in October) concerning prison overcrowding, and welcomed his new guidance emphasising the suitability of alternatives to custody 'in many but the most serious cases': but it said the courts need to deal with serious and violent crime effectively.
Source: Press release 4.11.02, Home Office (0870 000 1585), Lord Chancellor's Department and Attorney General's Office
Links: Press release | Text of lecture by LCJ
Date: 2002-Nov
The Home Secretary reportedly conceded that he will in future 'normally' accept the recommendations of the parole board for the release of murderers serving life sentences (following a case in the European Court of Human Rights).
Source: The Guardian, 18.10.02
Links: Article
Date: 2002-Oct
A new book addressed the key issues surrounding the future of sentencing, particularly in the light of the Halliday Report.
Source: Sue Rex and Michael Tonry (eds.), Reform And Punishment: The Future of Sentencing, Willan Publishing (01884 840337)
Links: Summary
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124, paragraph 6.4
Date: 2002-Jul
The European Court of Human Rights ruled that the practice by prison governors of adding days to a prisoner's sentence as punishment for breaches of prison regulations is unlawful.
Source: Ezeh and Connors v The United Kingdom,15.7.02, European Court of Human Rights (+33 0 3884 12018)
Links: ECHR judgement (Word file) | ECHR press release
Date: 2002-Jul