"How many serving or former officers walk our streets knowing that they will remain potential targets long after they take off the uniform, and knowing that under the law as presently interpreted, their killers may not face the penalty that Parliament intended for those who attack innocent public servants?"
"This government is clear that perpetrators of heinous killings like these must feel the full force of the law. This means offenders can expect to spend the rest of their lives behind bars. It is the latest step this government is taking to keep our hardworking prison and probation staff safe."
"Because Mr Scott had left the prison service by then, Morgan did not face the harshest penalty available of a whole life order, ensuring that he would never be released from jail."
The government will impose whole life sentences for murders linked to the duties of current or former police, prison and probation officers. The justice secretary, David Lammy, will amend the Sentencing Bill so any murder connected to an officer's current or former duties can attract a whole life order. The change follows the killing of former prison officer Lenny Scott, whose murderer did not receive a whole life order because Scott had left the service. The amendment aims to close that loophole, ensure perpetrators face life imprisonment, and increase safety for prison and probation staff.
Read at www.independent.co.uk
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