Do shorter prison sentences make society less safe? What the evidence says: The final report of the Independent Sentencing Review has proposed the most significant reform of sentencing and punishment in England and Wales since the 1990s. The review, chaired by former Conservative justice secretary David Gauke, calls for a number of changes to address …
Just Stop Oil’s harsh sentences are the logical outcome of Britain’s authoritarian turn against protest: Lengthy prison sentences have been imposed on five Just Stop Oil activists for coordinating direct action on the M25, the main ring road around London. For a non-violent protest, there is no equivalent in modern times. The five years for …
Longer sentences? Overcrowded UK prisons are already failing society: The UK government plans to impose tougher sentences on those convicted of serious crimes, it announced via this year’s king’s speech at the state opening of parliament. Political pundits reacting to the speech on the BBC immediately questioned the rationale behind potentially putting more people in …
Janusz Walus and parole for prisoners serving life sentences in South Africa: the weaknesses of the court’s decision: Protesters demonstrate outside the high court in Cape Town against parole for Janusz Walus. Brenton Geach/Gallo Images via Getty Images The murder of Chris Hani, a South African liberation struggle hero, by Janusz Walus on 10 April …
Historic moment as Constitutional Court finds Zuma guilty and sentences him to jail: Former South African president Jacob Zuma stands in the dock at a separate trial at the Pietermaritzburg High Court in May. Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images South Africa’s Constitutional Court has found former president Jacob Zuma guilty of contempt of …
Kuwait’s highest court sentences lawmakers to prison: In this Nov. 16, 2011, file photo, dozens of Kuwaitis briefly storm Kuwait's parliament building as hundreds of others protested outside in Kuwait City, Kuwait. Kuwait's highest court on Sunday ordered an opposition leader and several lawmakers imprisoned for 3A1 2 years over the 2011 storming of parliament …
Inmates to get shorter sentences after helping deputy: Inmates in Georgia are getting their sentences shortened for helping a sheriff's deputy who collapsed while on security detail. Polk County Sheriff Johnny Moats said that six inmates chose to help the deputy, who suffers from a chronic medical condition that makes him sensitive to changes in …