Coronial powers and the rights of the unborn (Part 1) – UK Human Rights Blog

‘In this two-part article, Maya Sikand KC, Tom Stoate, and Ruby Peacock, explore two difficult questions arising from the inquest into the “harrowing circumstances” of the death of a baby, Aisha Cleary, at HMP Bronzefield. This first part seeks to answer the question: should coroners have jurisdiction to investigate stillbirths?’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 11th August 2023

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Three-quarters of prisons in England and Wales in appalling conditions as overcrowding fears grow – The Guardian

Posted August 7th, 2023 in health & safety, Ministry of Justice, news, prisons, statistics by tracey

‘The vast majority of prisons are providing inadequate conditions or unacceptable treatment, according to an Observer investigation that has led to claims of prisoners being “warehoused” in a system in crisis.’

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The Guardian, 5th August 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Andy Malkinson: Living costs deduction scrapped for wrongly convicted – BBC News

‘A controversial rule which deducted living costs from compensation paid to wrongly jailed people has been scrapped.’

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BBC News, 6th August 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

HMP Bronzefield baby death followed systemic failings – inquest – BBC News

‘A baby died after her “vulnerable” 18-year-old mother gave birth alone in a jail cell following “systemic failings” by state agencies, a coroner has said.’

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BBC News, 29th July 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Andrew Malkinson: End living cost charge for wrongfully convicted, Tory MP says – BBC News

‘A senior Conservative MP has urged ministers to change prison compensation rules after it emerged a man who wrongly spent 17 years in jail may have money deducted from his payout.’

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BBC News, 30th July 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

‘Shocking’ scale of violence at Cookham Wood child jail, watchdog finds – The Independent

Posted July 18th, 2023 in children, news, prisons, violence, young offenders by tracey

‘Children armed themselves with hundreds of homemade weapons at a scandal-hit jail where violence was rife, according to a damning watchdog report.’

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The Independent, 18th July 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

New Acts – legislation.gov.uk

2023 c. 28 – Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023

2023 c. 25 – Offenders (Day of Release from Detention) Act 2023

2023 c. 24 – Child Support Collection (Domestic Abuse) Act 2023

2023 c. 23 – Co-operatives, Mutuals and Friendly Societies Act 2023

2023 c. 22 – Shark Fins Act 2023

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

End to Friday prison releases calls time on damaging race against the clock- Ministry of Justice

Posted June 30th, 2023 in bills, Ministry of Justice, news, prisons, recidivists, statistics by tracey

‘Thousands of prisoners vulnerable to addiction, mental health issues or homelessness will no longer be released on Fridays as a new Bill to reduce reoffending becomes law today (29 June 2023).’

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Ministry of Justice, 30th June 2023

Source: www.gov.uk

Offenders on clean-up duty in anti-social behaviour crackdown – Ministry of Justice

‘New Community Payback teams to clean up fly-tipping or vandalism within 48 hours.’

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Ministry of Justice, 22nd June 2023

Source: www.gov.uk

Serial killer Levi Bellfield wins battle to marry in prison – The Independent

‘Serial killer Levi Bellfield is to be allowed to marry after prison officials accepted there is no way to stop him under current laws.’

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The Independent, 16th June 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

HMP Stoke Heath must improve emergency response after death – BBC News

Posted May 19th, 2023 in death in custody, news, ombudsmen, prisons by tracey

‘Staff at HMP Stoke Heath must be better prepared to deal with medical emergencies after an inmate died in the prison’s yard, a report has found.’

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BBC News, 18th May 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Serial rapist Andrew Barlow recalled to prison weeks after release – BBC News

Posted May 15th, 2023 in imprisonment, news, parole, prisons, rape, sexual offences by tracey

‘A man who was jailed for 13 rapes has been recalled to prison just weeks after being released.’

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BBC News, 13th May 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Protection of the public and the retrospective application of penalties – UK Human Rights Blog

‘On 29 November 2019 Usman Khan attended a rehabilitation event at Fishmongers’ Hall and stabbed five people, two fatally. On 2 February 2020 Sudesh Amman attacked two passers-by in Streatham High Road with a knife before being shot dead by police. Both men had previously been convicted of terrorism offences. Both men had been automatically released on licence halfway through their custodial sentences.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 10th May 2023

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Murderer wins High Court case over transfer to open prison conditions – The Independent

Posted May 12th, 2023 in appeals, imprisonment, Ministry of Justice, murder, news, parole, prisons, sentencing by tracey

‘A former soldier who murdered a mother-of-three and dismembered her body has won a High Court challenge over his transfer to open prison conditions.’

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The Independent, 11th May 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Terrorist prisoners to face tougher limits behind bars – Ministry of Justice

Posted May 2nd, 2023 in dangerous offenders, news, prisons, terrorism by tracey

‘Convicted terrorists will be banned from taking a leading role in religious services and face more rigorous checks for extremist literature as the government redoubles efforts to crackdown on dangerous radicalisers behind bars.’

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Ministry of Justice, 30th April 2023

Source: www.gov.uk

Conditions at Cookham Wood young offender unit deemed a scandal – BBC News

Posted April 28th, 2023 in children, detention, news, prisons, young offenders by tracey

‘An urgent notice for action has been issued to the justice secretary after conditions at a young offender institution were deemed “a scandal”.’

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BBC News, 28th April 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Prisoner is suicide risk after more than two years in solitary, high court hears – The Guardian

‘A prisoner’s detention in solitary confinement in England for more than two years has been “wholly unnecessary” and has made him suicidal, the high court has heard.’

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The Guardian, 25th April 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

More Than One Person A Month Has Died In Custody This Year – Each Other

Posted April 25th, 2023 in death in custody, news, police, prisons, statistics by sally

‘According to the charity Inquest, since the beginning of the year, six people have died in police custody or otherwise following contact with the police. Last year, 301 people died in prison custody and in 2021 there were 191 deaths in police custody.’

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Each Other, 21st April 2023

Source: eachother.org.uk

The King v Arie Ali [2023] EWCA Crim 232 – Drystone Chambers

‘In this case the Court of Appeal held that the exceptional factor relating to the overcrowding conditions of the adult male prisons can properly be taken into account by a sentencing judge, particularly for short term prison sentences.’

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Drystone Chambers, 5th March 2023

Source: www.drystone.com

G4S admits its failures in the running of a prison amounts to breach of the Article 2 systemic duty – Garden Court Chambers

‘G4S’s running of the prison failed to meet the standards of public service required, such that HMP Birmingham was put in special measures, and its running was taken over by the Ministry of Justice. The Chief Inspector of Prisons at the time, Peter Clarke, invoked the Urgent Notification process in respect of the prison.’

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Garden Court Chambers, 23rd March 2023

Source: www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk