Written evidence from the Police Service
of Northern Ireland Prison Service
The Police Service of Northern Ireland is aware
that the prison population is rising, with the result that some
prisoners are "doubling up" in cells due to lack of
adequate accommodation. In addition, in December 2006, Criminal
Justice Minister, Mr David Hanson, announced that automatic 50%
remission is to end under tough new sentencing measures and as
a result dangerous sexual and violent offenders could be detained
in custody for the full term of their prison sentence, whilst
those committing the most serious offences would remain in prison
for an indefinite period. The introduction of these new measures
could negatively impact on the prison population, causing it to
rise even further with the potential to impact on the police service
should this result in disorder within the prisons.
Prison Service of Northern Ireland
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