BLUNKETT ORDERS EARLY RELEASE OF THOUSANDS OF PRISONERS

The Government is to extend the use of electronic tagging and early release
for prisoners serving short sentences, to relieve the overcrowding crisis
in Britain's prisons.

Home Secretary David Blunkett today attempted to persuade the public that
the new plan which will see thousands of prisoners released early was not a
"soft option".

Mr Blunkett also moved to reassure victims of crime that the system was on
their side by promising them a new victims' Bill of Rights and a
Commissioner for Victims.

Some prison governors have been reluctant to free inmates on the electronic
tagging scheme, called the Home Detention Curfew (HDC), because of red tape
and fears they would be blamed if the freed inmate rea "offended.

Mr Blunkett said one of the reasons for the measure was to "help us manage
the prison population by reducing overcrowding", as the prison population
in England and Wales last week hit crisis point of 70,100, just a few
hundred short of capacity.

Mr Blunkett said that from the beginning of May, governors should presume
prisoners serving sentences of between three months and 12 months a "
except those convicted of violent, sexual or serious drugs offences a "
will be released on HDC for "the latter part of their sentence".

There would have to be "compelling reasons" not to release them on the
tagging programme, he added.

Prison sources said the change of emphasis could see the number of inmates
fall by 4,000 within a year.

Delivering the keynote address at the Inspectorates of Prisons and
Probation conference in London, the Home Secretary said he will set up a
new advisory panel for victims so they have a say in the reform of the
criminal justice system.

He said: "Confidence in the criminal justice system is unquestionably low.

"For years the public has seen the entire system as being on the side of
offenders, not victims. "

Victims of crime are still, too often, treated with indifference or with
disrespect. I am not having that.

"That is why I am putting victims at the heart of our reforms. "

We will produce a Bill of Rights for Victims. We will appoint a
Commissioner for Victims.

"We will ensure that victims have a voice, and have the opportunity to
guide and advise us and the criminal justice services and agencies. "

"That is why I have decided to set up an advisory panel a " including
victims of crime and the families of victims a " to help us get it exactly
right."

Currently, offenders are released on the HDC two months early. Last month,
Mr Blunkett told the Prison Service conference in Nottingham that it would
be extended to three months, but today a Home Office spokeswoman said that
plan was "on hold".

The HDC will be renamed the Presumptive Home Detention Curfew, reflecting
the fact it will be implemented almost automatically for nona "violent and
nona "sex offenders. Mr Blunkett said: "HDC is not a soft option, nor is it
a mandate to commit more crimes.

"Over 44,000 prisoners have been released on HDC in the last three years
with less than 2 per cent offending during their time under curfew. "

It is far better that someone walks out of prison under escort, with a
place to live and with an electronic tag round their ankle than with a bin
sack of possessions, no home, no chance of a job and no incentive to go
straight.

"This is, of course, the current position for many those imprisoned for
short term and medium term sentences. "

Reconviction rates are dramatically lower for those who have been released
under HDC than those who have served the final weeks of their sentence in
prison.

"Using HDC in this way will help us manage the prison population by
reducing overcrowding, at the same time as increasing the resettlement and
rehabilitation opportunities for less serious offenders."

Speaking about the current population pressures, the Home Secretary said:
"In the short term we have to ease the burden on the Prison Service. "

I know that resources are currently being stretched but I am confident that
the measures I have outlined will allow us to get on with developing the
important work already under way to resettle offenders back into the community.

"Linked to this, we are currently seeking ways forward in creating more
accommodation."

Shadow home secretary Oliver Letwin said the changes to HDC undermined the
way judges chose to sentence criminals.

"This undermines the fundamental principles of justice," he said.

Norman Brennan, director of the Victims of Crime Trust, said: "It is time
this Government stopped looking at reasons not to send people to prison."