The latest news about criminal justice issues from around the UK, drawn from media websites, government sources and criminal justice organisations. Some of these sources require registration, or do not archive their articles beyond seven days. Sorry about that.

This weblog is supported by Rethinking Crime and Punishment and produced in association with the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies. It is maintained and updated by A set of FAQs about the site is available here. View the news under the following categories: Police and Crime Prevention Courts & Sentencing Prisons International Probation & Community Sentences Young Offenders Statistics and Reports Go here for news of forthcoming events

Wednesday, June 2, 2004 Inmate release system concerns The chairman of Scotland's parole board has voiced concerns about the automatic prisoner release system. Since 1993, prisoners sentenced to four years or more are automatically released on licence when they have served two thirds of their sentence. BBC Scotland Today: Dramatic rise in number of criminals released early Herald: Protecting the public Herald: End automatic release of prisoners, says parole chief Scotsman: Public safety warning over paroled prisoners 10:12:53 AM    comment [] Inmate blunder firm wins contract A security firm which mistakenly released prisoners in Scotland has won a huge new contract south of the border for transporting inmates. Reliance freed three prisoners in error soon after taking over the prisoner escort contract in Scotland. It has now won an expanded £250,000, seven-year contract to provide court and custodial services in south Wales and west England. BBC icNetwork: New contract for under fire security firm Scotsman: Security Firm That Freed Prisoner Wins New Contract Daily Record: Reliance win new contract 10:12:13 AM    comment [] Roofs for the yoofs Is the bus shelter - traditional refuge for bored teenagers - getting a post-modern regeneration twist? A new scheme is planning to create "youth shelters" in an attempt to give teenagers a place of their own, and at the same time cut crime. Guardian 10:11:31 AM    comment [] © Copyright 2004 Nick Page.

Updated: 30/9/04; 2:09:24 pm.  Suffering in silence Residents list top crime concerns Watchdog gives Reliance verdict Blair pledges extra £219m for drug treatment Blunkett makes crime poll issue Home Office orders a £1m hard sell on 'soft' commu... Post offices take on police role Tough laws to tackle 'hate crime' An innocent objection to reduced sentences Prejudice goes up in flames Report praises Birmingham Prison Homophobic crime reports increase Firms urged to employ ex-inmates Lib Dems would end child trials Blunkett backtracks on detention without trial Police spending just over half their time on front... June 2004 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30       May   Jul Search WWW Search Weblog Home Rethinking Crime and Punishment What you really need to know about criminal justice What Can I Do? How you can get involved in the criminal justice system CJScotland A log and information exchange about criminal justice issues in Scotland. Government Departments and Criminal Justice Agencies Department of Constitutional Affairs Criminal Justice Service HM Inspectorate of Prisons National Probation Service HM Prison Service Home Office Youth Justice Board Scottish Prison Service Independent Organisations and Sites The Magistrates Association NACRO Prison Reform Trust Restorative Justice Consortium Rethinking Crime and Punishment The Guardian: Crime and punishment: the issue explained Prisoners' Education Trust International Centre for Prison Studies The Prisons Handbook Prison Film Project Prison Privitisation Report International