Archive for May, 2008

Early release a desperate measure

The Government announced the early release of a few hundred prisoners yesterday. The gossip is that this had been delayed until after the Crewe and Nantwich election. Sadly, it is yet another desperate measure, and likely to have a deleterious effect.
These are people serving longer sentences, some of whom could have been refused parole because [...]

May 29, 2008   Posted in: Rehabilitation, Sentencing  No Comments

Pauline Campbell RIP

Everyone is devastated by the loss of Pauline.В  We have been flooded with phone calls and emails remembering her and wanting to carry on her campaign.
We are going to have a period of quiet reflection until after her funeral.
We have invited people to send tributes and memories and are putting these on our website.В  The [...]

May 16, 2008   Posted in: Howard League  No Comments

Jury system: a bulwark of freedom

I’m off to do my civic duty.В  Once again I am called to do two weeks’ jury service.В  I did it a few years ago and have to admit I was really impressed.В  I sat on one case that was completed, and obviously I can’t talk about the details, but I can say that the [...]

May 9, 2008   Posted in: Howard League  No Comments

Jury service

The proceedings of the Old Bailey have been put on line and it turns out my great grandfather was sentenced to a year’s hard labour forlarceny in 1905. I had no idea. Solomon Silverhamer, aged 42, was convicted of stealing lace collarettes and ladies’ bishops (does anyone know what they are?). I dont know what [...]

May 7, 2008   Posted in: Howard League  No Comments