Criminal Justice

Today the Ministry of Justice announced two new statutory aggravating factors for murder sentencing, along with a review of homicide law and sentencing. The Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, Nicole Jacobs says, “I am pleased that strangulation and killing at the end of a relationship will become statutory aggravating factors for murder sentencing, …

Domestic Abuse Commissioner responds to tougher homicide sentencing measures Read More »

“I am deeply concerned to hear that 37 prisoners – who were serving sentences for breaching restraining orders – were released in error under the SDS40 early prison release scheme. “Anyone who breaches a restraining order is likely to be a high risk individual who may be fixated on their victim, undeterred by legal restrictions …

All domestic abuse perpetrators must be exempt from SDS40, says Commissioner Read More »

Today, an early prison release scheme comes into effect that will see some offenders released after serving 40% of their sentence. The ‘SDS40’ scheme is a temporary measure, designed to ease the prison overcrowding crisis. But despite some exemptions for domestic abuse related crimes, the scheme doesn’t go far enough to protect victims from their …

Commissioner warns early release scheme puts domestic abuse victims at risk Read More »

In response to the ongoing prison overcrowding crisis, magistrates were yesterday requested to temporarily delay the imprisonment of some individuals. This move is intended to alleviate pressure ahead of the upcoming ‘SDS40’ early release program which aims to free up prison spaces. The SDS40 scheme allows some prisoners to be released after serving 40% of …

Commissioner responds to new measures to temporarily delay some imprisonments Read More »

Today the new Government has announced plans to temporarily reduce the point at which prisoners are automatically released from 50% to 40% of their sentence, in response to the overcrowding crisis. This will exclude anyone convicted for a sexual offence, stalking, controlling and coercive behaviour, non-fatal strangulation, breaches of restraining or non-molestation orders, or who …

Commissioner says domestic abuse victims must be kept safe amidst response to prison overcrowding crisis Read More »

Responding to reports that the NPCC has sent a letter to police chiefs asking them to consider “pausing” “non-priority arrests”, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Nicole Jacobs, says: “Reports that police chiefs are being asked by the National Police Chiefs Council to consider arresting fewer people are sobering. As violence against women and girls is now …

I am highly concerned for victims’ safety, says Commissioner, amid reports that police are being asked to consider making fewer arrests Read More »