Ministers consider changing the law to force rapists to serve full sentences in prison as part of crime crackdown to end possibility of early release
- Alex Chalk has been asked to draw up proposals for a change in the law
- Rishi Sunak is considering whether to include idea in autumn’s King’s Speech
Convicted rapists will be forced to serve their full sentence in prison, under plans being considered by ministers.
Justice Secretary Alex Chalk has been asked to draw up proposals for a change in the law that would end the possibility of early release for those convicted of the most serious sexual offences.
Rishi Sunak is considering whether to include the idea in this autumn’s King’s Speech, which is expected to include a heavy emphasis on tackling crime.
Despite public concern, most prisoners are automatically released after serving just half their sentences.
But shocking Ministry of Justice figures show that since 2016, 112 sex attackers have gone on to commit further serious offences while they were released early on licence.
Convicted rapists will be forced to serve their full sentence in prison, under plans being considered by ministers (stock photo)
Justice Secretary Alex Chalk (pictured last week) has been asked to draw up proposals for a change in the law that would end the possibility of early release for those convicted of the most serious sexual offences
In 2017, Worcestershire rapist Ashley Shuck was convicted of the rape and kidnap of an elderly woman and the sexual assault of another woman just weeks after being released halfway through an eight-year sentence for a previous attack.
Last year’s Police, Crime and Courts Act ended automatic early release for all sexual offences that carry a maximum life sentence, including rape and sexual assault of a child aged under 13.
It meant that those given a sentence of four years or more are now required to serve at least two-thirds of it before being considered for release.
But a Government source confirmed that ministers are now considering going further and ending any early release for the most serious sexual criminals.
The Prime Minister is expected to put tackling crime at the centre of the King’s Speech in November.
Rishi Sunak (pictured yesterday) is considering whether to include the idea in this autumn’s King’s Speech, which is expected to include a heavy emphasis on tackling crime
Ministers have previously come under pressure over the issue from Labour, particularly on rape, where only 1.6 per cent of cases reported to police result in someone being charged.
But senior Conservatives believe that Labour is vulnerable on crime.
Tory researchers have been combing through Sir Keir Starmer’s record as director of public prosecutions for evidence of a soft approach which could be deployed during the election campaign.
Government sources said a final decision on which measures will be included in the King’s Speech on November 7 will not be made until later in the autumn.
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