"Violent partners will be allowed to return to harassing, stalking and abusing with impunity under a bill before parliament that is supposed to ease prison overcrowding, a watchdog has warned the lord chancellor. In a letter to David Lammy, the domestic abuse commissioner, Dame Nicole Jacobs, said the sentencing bill's aim to re-release the vast majority of offenders recalled to prison after 56 days would mean that victims and survivors will be put in harm's way and lead to devastating consequences."
"Domestic abuse perpetrators who are recalled are among the most dangerous. They are fixated on their victims, know everything about them and will stop at nothing to maintain control. When they are released, we know they are likely to return to harassing, stalking and abusing their victim. While these despicable behaviours may rightly see them recalled to prison, victims' lives will likely have been put at risk in the process. Re-releasing these perpetrators in as little as eight weeks sends the wrong message to victims"
The sentencing bill would re-release most offenders recalled to prison after 56 days to ease overcrowding. Recalled domestic abuse perpetrators are identified as among the most dangerous, often fixated on victims and likely to resume harassment, stalking and abuse upon release. Releasing such perpetrators in as little as eight weeks risks victim safety and communicates impunity to abusers. Prisons are described as underfunded and understaffed, with ministers facing pressure to use the bill to free space. The domestic abuse commissioner called for amended procedures requiring new risk-assessment checks for recalled domestic abuse perpetrators before any re-release.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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