Blunkett ‘buy a shorter jail sentence’ under fire
Plans to let wealthy criminals compensate their victims in return for shorter sentences have been likened to Saudi Arabia’s “blood money” system.
Home secretary David Blunkett hopes the idea will ease pressure of the governments criminal injuries compensation scheme, which pays out £160 million a year and costs £24 million a year to run with another £6 million on appeals.
Mr Blunkett revealed his plan to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott in a letter, which was revealed to the Daily Mirror.
In it, the Home Secretary says: “I hope to…. Secure money from a range of sources, including getting more from offenders as other countries do.”
He talks of “allowing an offer of compensation to a victim to be taken into account as part of the sentencing process.”
It adds: “The precise way in which proposals would work is being worked up with relevant officials in the Home Office and the Department for Constitutional Affairs.”
The letter concludes: “The Prime Minister has seen these proposals.”
In Saudi Arabia, families of victims decide how much to demand from villains in return for shorter sentences.
Civil Servants in Whitehall are dubbing Mr Blunketts plan “blood money”, and say it goes too far.
Last night Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Simon Hughs warned of the “dangers” of allowing the rich to buy themselves out of punishment.
He said: “Reducing Prison numbers and punishing less offenders effectively without locking them up are both common sense.
“But the criminal justice system will not have public confidence if money allows you to buy a ‘get out of jail free’ card when poorer people will have to stay banged up.”
Part of Mr Blunketts plan – to exclude some public sector workers from the Criminal Injuries Compensation – would put him on a collision course with the unions.
His letter refers to “the removal from the scheme of workers injured in the course of duty.
“This affects some public sector workers and my officials will liase with other departments to see if we can establish feasible alternatives.”
Last night the Home Office said: “This is a leaked document and we are not prepared to comment.”
Taken from The Daily Mirror, July 28 2003