POWERLESS!

Jack Straw - Powerless!

A Human Rights ruling in the Court of Appeal means the government has been stripped of the power to stop dangerous criminals being released from prison, including murderers, paedophiles and armed robbers!

The judgement means that Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary, no longer has any say over when any criminal can be released, no matter how dangerous!

The ruling was handed down in a case brought by "ruthless and dangerous" armed robber Wayne Thomas Black - who is serving a 24-year jail term for a string of crimes including false imprisonment, kidnapping, conspiracy to kidnap, robbery and a prison van break.

In May 2006, the Parole Board recommended Black's release on licence but the Home Secretary refused, saying he still posed too great a risk of re-offending.

Yesterday, the court ruled that it was a breach of Article 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights for a Government minister alone - rather than a court - to reach such a decision.

Lord Justice Latham said: "The inescapable logic is that a prisoner serving a determinate sentence is entitled to have the lawfulness of his detention determined, not merely speedily, but by a court...I would grant a declaration of incompatibility under the Human Rights Act."

This means that Justice Secretary Jack Straw will no longer be able to overrule any Parole Board decision to release an inmate even if he still believes they are dangerous.

Christine Glenn, chief executive of the Parole Board, said: "I welcome this decision. I think we should be a court."

But the Parole Board is NOT a court and judging by its record its sole concern is not protecting the innocent but making sure that dangerous criminals spend as little time in jail as possible!

The judgment applies to criminals sentenced to 15 years or more, but not life.

Ministers had already lost the power to decide when lifers should be released following a human rights defeat in Europe in May 2002.

There are around 150 Parole Board hearings a year for prisoners serving 15 years or more, of which between 30 and 50 result in a positive recommendation for release.

Each year, around five of these have their release rejected by the Secretary of State.

These convicts - among the most dangerous in the UK - would now go free.

Critics warned of an outcry if any of those who benefit go on to commit a heinous crime.

Miss Widdecombe said: "The Home Secretary or the Justice Secretary should remain responsible for the release of long serving prisoners.

"The public expect to feel confident in the justice system and cannot reasonably hold to account if the Secretary of State has no power."

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "We note the Court's judgment and will be actively considering whether to seek permission to appeal to the House of Lords.

"No prisoner will be immediately released as a result of this judgment."

Black can be kept in jail because his sentence has yet to reach the point when release takes place.

(Powerless)

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