"resettlement overnight release" - another way of diminishing punishment and reducing the protection afforded to the public

The Times alerts me to a new phrase in the liberal lexicon "resettlement overnight release" which means letting long term prisoners out of prison for up to 100 days a year in order to do community service.

The Ministry of Justice's own figures show there has been a sharp rise in the number of occasions when ROR is granted. In 2006, there were 3,813 licences for ROR. In 2007, it was 6,914, and last year, the total was 11,599.

This scheme is marketed as a way of reintegrating etc. etc. etc. but in reality it is a way of quietly reducing prisoner numbers. How does this affect the public? The Times has some examples:

" Harry Roberts, 72, who was given a 42 year jail sentence after murdering three policemen, terrorised a woman while let out on a scheme meant to reacquaint him with life on the outside. His release was cancelled and he remains in jail.

* Robert Foye, who was serving 10 years for the attempted murder of a policeman, raped a 16-year-old girl in August 2007 after being let out on day release to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.

* Thomas Murray, a convicted murderer and certified schizophrenic, entered the home of Nancy Nolan, an 80-year-old retired schoolteacher, and killed her with a lump hammer while on day release in 2000. "

Labour soft on crime and soft on the causes of crime. In fact Labour the party of criminals for criminals.