New Forest MPs unite in call for prisoners to serve full sentences

BOTH New Forest MPs have urged the government to make prisoners serve their full sentences.

The two Conservatives spoke out during a debate on approving changes for the most serious violent and sexual offenders to spend at least two-thirds of their sentence in jail, instead of being released automatically after half, as in most cases now.

Sir Desmond Swayne, of New Forest West, said the public would have more confidence if offenders served the full tariff rather than what he said was a “fabrication” that “everybody works out on the back of a fag packet”.

He asked: “Why go for two thirds, up from a half – why not have the sentence that was delivered in court by a judge served?”

He was backed by New Forest East MP Julian Lewis who said that instead of rewarding prisoners by cutting time for good behaviour, they could be deterred from misbehaviour by having it lengthened as punishment.

Dr Lewis said: “That would avoid the perception among the public that the government are trying to con them into believing that the sentences being imposed are more severe than we all know them to be in reality.”

Junior justice minister Chris Philp said: “The measures that we are about to pass are simply the first step in part of a wider process to make sure that we not only protect the public but respect the rights and concerns of victims.”

The debate was held before the attacks in Streatham, London, last Sunday. Police shot dead a knifeman who hurt three people after recently being released from prison for 16 charges of possessing and distributing terror material.

That type of crime is not covered by the new regulations – but the government has since announced it wants to fast-track new laws to prevent terror offenders being automatically released without oversight by the parole board.