Written question asked by Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Bassam of Brighton (Labour) on Friday, 14 July 2006.

Prisoners: Early Release

Question: What measures are in place to detain those found guilty of serious violent offences who become eligible for early release, but show no sign of remorse for their previous actions.

Answer: The Criminal Justice Act 2003 created new public protection sentences aimed specifically at sexual and violent offenders, including the sentence of imprisonment for public protection, which is an indeterminate sentence. These sentences ensure that dangerous sexual and violent offenders are subject to assessment by the Parole Board before release, and in the case of serious offences if the risk is not reduced to a safe level, they may never be released. The offender’s attitude to his or her offending, including any expression of remorse, will form part of the Parole Board assessment.

Secondary information