Andrew Turner, the Island’s MP, today added his voice to calls to tighten the laws governing bail and to put Islanders’safety first.
Recent research has shown that the penalties for breaching bail are often extremely limited. As a result, criminals often roam the streets with no regard for the restrictions the courts have imposed upon them. Around half of those who jump bail are, in effect, let off with a small fine – the average of which is just £60. Mr Turner feels the system is failing Islanders and putting them at risk.
As well as the failing bail laws, Mr Turner is concerned about the practise of using bail hostels to house early-release prisoners and criminal suspects. There are hundreds of privately-run bail hostels being opened in residential areas across the country without adequate consultation – and the Island is not exempt, although there are no firm proposals to open any here at the moment. The government has taken the responsibility away from the probation service and placed it in the hands of a private contractor, ClearSprings Management Ltd. The company operate “supported accommodation”, which they themselves admit is non-secure. The company relies on those on bail to practise good behaviour, a practise that Mr Turner claims puts the public at risk. Local authorities are given little or no say on where this accommodation is placed, nor are local residents or neighbours of the new hostel properties consulted.
Andrew Turner MP said:
“The current situation is clearly unacceptable. Not only is bail granted too easily, even for some serious offences, but the system to ensure that those on bail comply with the courts’ rulings is little more than a paper tiger. As a result, people are put at risk and their confidence in the judicial process is being undermined. Criminals, who should be facing justice, often do as they please with complete contempt for the law and virtually without penalty. I believe the bail laws should be tightened and the supervision of those on bail should be put back in the hands of the probation service. Bail hostels should be subject to proper planning procedures so that the concerns of local residents can be taken into account.”
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Contact : Andrew Turner’s office 01983 530808
