Written question asked by Kevin McNamara (Labour) on Friday, 26 April 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 14 May 2002. It was answered by Lord Bradley (Labour) on Tuesday, 14 May 2002 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, by what means the Criminal Case Review Commission prioritises its cases; if the Commission distinguishes between persons in prison and those who have been released; and if it distinguishes between those serving short and those serving long-term sentences.

Answer: Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what means the Criminal Case Review Commission prioritises its cases; if the Commission distinguishes between persons in prison and those who have been released; and if it distinguishes between those serving short and those serving long-term sentences. [53752] Mr. Keith Bradley: Applications from those in custody or at liberty begin their review in date order of receipt dependent on the availability of case information. At stages two and three applications from those in custody begin their review before those at liberty. The Commission considers applications for priority on the following grounds: Grave ill health of the applicant, witnesses or family members The interests of the Criminal Justice System Age of applicants Operational effectiveness of the Commission. Applicants receiving a Life sentence who are released on licence are treated as if they were in custody. Once a review has begun it continues even if the custodial status of the applicant changes. Applicants released before the review begins move to At Liberty status.

Secondary information