2 h. ago BORIS JOHNSON: In the week Labour announced plans to release rapists and killers early, there's one prisoner who poses no threat... FREE LUCY CONOLLY NOW

If this goes on much longer, I really think the great moderate mass of the British public will finally explode with irritation. This is not meant to be communist Albania. This is not Ceausescu's Romania.

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9 h. ago Up to 43,000 criminals a year set to avoid jail under Labour's soft

A new sentencing review already been accepted 'in principle' by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood could see tens of thousands of offenders avoid jail each year, official data shows.

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37 h. ago Watch: Justice secretary update on prisons review as chemical castration considered for sex offenders

The justice secretary has said that many sentencing reforms aimed at easing prison overcrowding have been accepted by the government, including chemical castration for sex offenders.

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39 h. ago 'A slap in the face for victims': Fury at Labour plans to allow killers, rapists and domestic abusers out of jail earlier in bid to ease prison overcrowding

An independent sentencing review has called for criminals convicted of serious violence or sex offences to win their freedom after serving half their jail term.

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46 h. ago Violent offenders including killers and rapists will be let out of jail one third EARLIER under plan set to be adopted by Labour

Criminals convicted of serious violence or sex offences could win their freedom after serving half their jail term, rather than at the current three quarters point - a one third reduction.

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52 h. ago Shabana Mahmood considers chemical castration for serious sex offenders

Justice secretary expected to back radical sentencing reforms, including use of libido-suppressing drugs in England and WalesShabana Mahmood, the lord chancellor, is considering mandatory chemical castration for the most serious sex offenders, according to government sources.The minister’s department is planning to expand a pilot to 20 regions as part of a package of “radical” measures to free thousands of prisoners and ease prison overcrowding in England and Wales.Ensure custodial sentences under 12 months are only used in exceptional circumstances.Extend suspended sentences to up to three years and encourage greater use of deferred sentences for low-risk offenders.Give courts greater flexibility to use fines and ancillary orders like travel, driving and football bans.Allow probation officers to adjust the level of supervision based on risk and compliance with licence conditions.Expand specialist domestic abuse courts to improve support for victims.Expand tagging for all perpetrato...

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