1,000 criminals at large after breaching parole
Nearly 1,000 criminals, including murderers, rapist and paedophiles, are on the run after disappearing while released on licence.
The 954 offenders include 19 murderers, 15 rapists, five paedophiles and 51 people convicted of GBH.
Some are still free 25 years after they should have gone back to jail.
Nineteen criminals who were freed in 1984 but later breached the terms of their release have still not been taken back into custody, Ministry of Justice figures show.
The government, the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) and the Met Police all refused to explain how the fugitives could have escaped justice for a quarter of a century.
Some 140 burglars, 98 fraudsters and 182 drug offenders are also still at large. Acpo has told all police forces to urgently arrest sexual and violent offenders.
‘Labour’s reckless early release scheme and lax approach to probation is putting the public at greater risk’, said shadow justice secretary Dominic Grieve.
Many of the missing criminals posed a ‘real threat’ and police must make ‘chasing warrants’ a priority, said Harry Fletcher of probation officers’ union Napo. Last month, it emerged Dano Sonnex, who has jailed for the murderers of two French students in south-east London, should have been in jail at the time of the killings.
The Ministry of Justice insisted the public were not a ‘higher risk’.
“The recall system works well. Of those recalled between 1999 and June 2008, just 0.7 percent of offenders have not been apprehended,’ said justice secretary Jack Straw
Source: Metro, 7 July 2009
False abuse allegations to be wiped from workers’ records
Teachers and youth workers who have been cleared of alleged abuse against children will be able to wipe the claims from their records, the government has said.
Junior children’s minister Baroness Delyth Morgan last week pledged to change the system as part of an overhaul of the statutory guidance on handling of allegations of abuse against those who work with young people.
Morgan said a review of the guidance had shown it to be largely effective. However, she acknowledged concerns within the sector over the requirements in existing guidance that references on prospective employees should contain details of any allegations of abuse, even those proved untrue.
In a letter accompanying the launch of a consultation on the revised guidance, Morgan said: “I am happy now to confirm that we do intend to amend the guidance to make clear that allegations which have been investigated and demonstrated to be completely untrue do not need to be included in a teacher’s references.
“We are committed to ensuring that the systems for dealing with allegations provide effective protection for children against abuse while also providing a fair, transparent system for teachers and other members of the children’s workforce that minimises the impact of allegations that turn out to be unfounded.”
David Whewell, chair of the Confederation of Heads of Young People’s Services, welcomed the proposed change. He said: “This is an important change. If someone has been accused of something and that accusation has been found to be untrue, to then tar them with that forever more is very unfair.”
By Ben Willis
Children & Young People Now
15 May 2009
Getting results at Laude Abbey
Teams of supervised ex-offenders have been working in the 14 acre gardens at Launde Abbey, a residential retreat house on the rural border between Leicestershire and Rutland.
For the last 18 months the men and women on Probation have undertaken ground clearance work and general gardening in the grounds of the Tudor house.
In Leicestershire and Rutland supervised men and women completed more than 160,000 hours of unpaid community reparation work in a 12 month period for local charities, schools, church trusts, faith groups and Local Authorities.
Sean Reynolds, Assistant Chief Officer with Leicestershire and Rutland Probation Trust, said: “We are delighted at how this on-going project is progressing. It is essential that our range of work covers both urban and rural projects. We provide supervised teams to work at a number of religious sites and it is important to provide programmes of work that are meaningful and worthwhile.”
Tim Blewett of Laude Abbey added: “The work undertaken is of real benefit and our community is delighted to be able to support the work of the Probation Service, and to help individuals to feel valued again by society and reach their true potential as individuals.”
Read other articles from the Leicestershire Probation website
Majid Ahmed wins battle to go to medical school
Inside’n’ Out Magazine covered the story of Majid Ahmed rejection by Imperial College after declaring a spent conviction for a small part in a burglary when he was aged 16. Read the original article
Now the straight-A student has been granted a place at Manchester University School of Medicine in September after a year-long battle of appeals against Imperial College and the university.
The General Medical Council has confirmed that people can still become doctors if they have a criminal record. Doctors have to fill in a declaration of fitness to practise as part of their application for provisional registration. A candidate could be barred if they were thought to pose a risk, but evidence including references would be considered.
Ahmed estimated that he had spent 200 hours scouring university appeals procedures, writing letters and talking to MPs to overturn his rejection.
He said: “If someone really wants to move on from their life and move away from their past they can. Some people will try to prevent them from achieving their dreams but they must find a way to ignore this.”
Inside ‘n’ Out Magazine congratulates Majid Ahmed and commends his determination and attitude.
Read the full Guardian article
Prisoners’ real life stories
Three ex-prison inmates, and users of Futures Unlocked’s mentoring and support services, tell their experiences of the challenges they have faced.
Many inmates want a new life when on the outside after release prison. They want to start again, make a new beginning for themselves and their families and put something back into community.
The reality is that however positive they are inside, living a crime-free life after prison can be difficult.
Click here to read about Danny, Lee and Mike’s experiences
Need for steed – A volunteer’s story
Mark Bosworth careers towards the camera at full throttle, a manic grin on his face and a gleam in his eye. At the last minute he puts in a sharp left turn and comes to sudden halt displaying the proud profile of his throbbing machine.
But no – it’s not a super-charged 300cc super-bike. It’s an electric scooter, complete with shopping bags and basket. Has Mark taken to stealing mobility carts from the disabled to bring terror to the pavements? No – he’s simply testing the functions of Scooter No. 49, following a recent re-fit, checking for road (or more-likely pavement) worthiness, before handing it out to one of MobilityShop’s grateful clients.
The manageress has been running MobilityShop for eight years. “Does it work?” she asks. “It’s perfect”, Mark says, bounding into the office. “I was practicing pirouettes on the car park.”
Mark has been doing voluntary work with MobilityShop for 2 months. Now 4 months into a year-long license period, he’s pleased to have found a placement where he can useful and support the needs of people in the community.
“It’s great to be working in a team again” he says, “and know what I’m doing is being valued by a lot of people.”
MobilityShop has two outlets – one in HighCross car park level 2, one next to the Haymarket centre and the bus station. The manageress is the only paid employee but along with her small army of volunteers the organization lends out between 20 & 40 scooter and wheelchairs a day to those with physical disabilities or walking difficulties, who find them invaluable for doing their weekly shop.
“I’d be lost without this service,” says Louise Robinson, who comes by twice a week to use Scooter 47 – a green three-wheeler with a vigorous cornering action. “It’s even better when I come in to Mark’s smiling face.”
Mark has plenty of reason to be cheerful – “It’s varied and interesting work,” he says, “and the customer service side is a real buzz for me – getting to know who likes which scooter, when they’ll be by, and making the vehicle ready for them. I get to chat with them about their day-to-day lives, and if it gets quiet (which is rare) there’s always the entertainment of checking repaired vehicles out.” “You mean practicing pirouettes,” the manageress jokes with him.
The pleasure Mark takes in his volunteering is clear to see and is a contrast to his early days out on license. “After the first few days of enjoying my freedom, I started getting fed up in the day, when everyone else was at work. Evenings are fine – I have a bar job and see friends. But in the day I knew I had a choice – sit on my arse, make trouble or make a contribution.”
The manageress was pleased to give Mark the chance to pick the latter. She interviewed him (including a discussion of his offense, attitude to it and receipt of a disclosure letter), gave him a few days trial and found him reliable and trustworthy. She’s always on the lookout for more helpful hands like his.
Mark found out about MobilityShop through Voluntary Action Leicester, whose folders list hundreds of such opportunities to make a difference and whose staff can direct the willing and eager to organizations suiting their interest.
Mark would “highly recommend” seeing what the voluntary path has to offer. “You can get busy and useful quickly, and meet new and friendly people.” He’s also looking forward to the social evening next week, where volunteers will be thanked and rewarded for their work. “Tonight dinner and drinks are complimentary – for all the volunteers and their hard work. They’ve certainly earned it!”
Reporter: Andy Thomas
The challenges on leaving prison
Moving on after a jail sentence can be difficult – moving away from offending behaviour, securing housing and finding work can all be challenges.
The BBC Special Reports – In Depth Prisons in the UK had an article covering the subject of leaving prison and re-entering society.
Jake’s a role model now
Positive: Teenager who had ASBO revoked is to be Ambassador.
At the beginning of the year, Jake Warburton-Jones was hit with an Asbo – but after turning his life around, he has been announced as an Ambassador for the Special Olympics.
The 17 year old became only the second person in Leicester to have the order wiped out, following months of hard work trying to improve relationships between teenagers and pensioners on the Thurnby Lodge estate.
After reading Jake’s story in the Leicester Mercury, Special Olympics Director, Steve Humphries decided he would be a perfect role model to help promote the games, which are being held in Leicester in 2009.
The teenager joins some of Leicester’s most famous sports stars, including Gary Lineker, Martin Johnson, Mark Selby and Milan Mandaric, to act as a spokesman for the event.
Jake said he was ‘really pleased’ his efforts since receiving the Asbo had paid off.
He said ‘I got a letter asking if I wanted to do it, so I said yes. I’m really pleased, although I’m not sure exactly what I’ll be doing yet. It’s good that all the stuff I’ve done has been recognised so I’m pleased. My mum’s really pleased as well’.
Jake was given an Asbo in January, after intimidating residents and shop workers in Thurncourt Road.
Since then, he has been determined to change his life for the better, and recently organised a trip to Skegness for more than 50 pensioners and youngsters living in Thurnby Lodge.
Again, when his story was told in the Mercury, anti-social workers discovered the positive impact the teenager was making on the community, and his order was removed.
Mr Humphries said Jake is a positive role model for other teenagers.
He said: with the Games we really want to reach out to all communities, people from all walks of life, and we need people to spread the word about what is happening. Jake is a perfect example of a young person who is really making a difference, and that is being recognised. I saw his story and I was blown away – I thought it was fantastic’.
Article from Leicester Mercury 19th July 2009 – Written by Gemma Peplow
Ed: For more on the volunteering opportunities during the Special Olympics see Citizens Eye
Minor offence causes major knockback
Mahid Ahmed is, by all appearances, a young man who is going places. Aged 18, very bright with 4 A-grade A-levels, volunteer work for disabled charities and £11,000 raised to send poor children on an adventure camp under his belt, Mahid can claim a record of achievement more than befitting of his dreams of a place at Imperial College London to study medicine.
But when he disclosed a criminal conviction, a small part in a burglary at the end of 16 that resulted in a four-month period of community service, Majid found the place he had already been granted withdrawn. His hopes of becoming a doctor were crushed.
Reported in the Daily Mail on July 3rd, Majid’s story is stark example of the prejudice that can face those with a conviction to disclose. Imperial stated that ‘Medical practitioners hold a position of responsibility in society and must often deal with vulnerable people. The public must have confidence in the integrity and probity of its doctors’.
But this blanket approach refuses to consider the individual merits and situation of an applicant already acknowledged, by Imperial’s selection process, to have the academic and personal qualities demanded by the course and the profession.
Growing, maturity and earning trust and responsibility is a process that, for all, involves taking risks, making mistakes and learning from them. Majid was punished immediately for his transgression, recognised the lesson and used the experience to enhance his thinking about his life path – his decision was to serve his community in future. This kind of positive choice should be encouraged rather than obstructed.
Majid acknowledged the role bad company played in his offending. His striving to join the social groups, and expectations, of those receiving an Imperial College medical education is proof of his desire to lead a life very different from the one in which he grew up.
The value lacking in Imperial College’s decision is one of the fundamental traditions of the western world – forgiveness for genuine repentance. Once the criminal justice system applies its punishment, it should not be the task of academics to apply themselves as moral arbiters and reapply the penalty.
Four-months of community service pales by comparison as a punishment to being shut out of a life-changing educational opportunity, and the chance to fulfil a dream. A chance is all Majid Ahmed asks.
Editor: Andy
Minor offence causes major knockback
Mahid Ahmed is, by all appearances, a young man who is going places. Aged 18, very bright with 4 A-grade A-levels, volunteer work for disabled charities and £11,000 raised to send poor children on an adventure camp under his belt, Mahid can claim a record of achievement more than befitting of his dreams of a place at Imperial College London to study medicine.
But when he disclosed a criminal conviction, a small part in a burglary at the end of 16 that resulted in a four-month period of community service, Majid found the place he had already been granted withdrawn. His hopes of becoming a doctor were crushed.
Reported in the Daily Mail on July 3rd, Majid’s story is stark example of the prejudice that can face those with a conviction to disclose. Imperial stated that ‘Medical practitioners hold a position of responsibility in society and must often deal with vulnerable people. The public must have confidence in the integrity and probity of its doctors’.
But this blanket approach refuses to consider the individual merits and situation of an applicant already acknowledged, by Imperial’s selection process, to have the academic and personal qualities demanded by the course and the profession.
Growing, maturity and earning trust and responsibility is a process that, for all, involves taking risks, making mistakes and learning from them. Majid was punished immediately for his transgression, recognised the lesson and used the experience to enhance his thinking about his life path – his decision was to serve his community in future. This kind of positive choice should be encouraged rather than obstructed.
Majid acknowledged the role bad company played in his offending. His striving to join the social groups, and expectations, of those receiving an Imperial College medical education is proof of his desire to lead a life very different from the one in which he grew up.
The value lacking in Imperial College’s decision is one of the fundamental traditions of the western world – forgiveness for genuine repentance. Once the criminal justice system applies its punishment, it should not be the task of academics to apply themselves as moral arbiters and reapply the penalty.
Four-months of community service pales by comparison as a punishment to being shut out of a life-changing educational opportunity, and the chance to fulfil a dream. A chance is all Majid Ahmed asks.