JACK BID TO SCRAP PUSHERS' PAROLE

DRUG dealers will lose the right to early release from prison under new
Labour plans.

At present, prisoners are considered for parole half way through their
sentence.

If not released then, they are automatically freed after two-thirds of
their term.

Now First Minister Jack McConnell wants to bin the perk for pushers
sentenced to four years or more.

The pledge is in Labour's manifesto for the Holyrood elections on May 1.

A party source said: "From speaking to people around the country, he
realised the situation needs to be looked at again."

Under the shake-up, parole boards would have to be convinced offenders had
changed their ways before granting them parole.

Those who had maintained drugs trade links would be refused early release.

But last night SNP justice spokeswoman Roseanna Cunningham said: "You can't
scrap parole for someone who isn't in prison.

"Under New Labour, convictions have dropped as drugs crime increased."