Prison inmates who attack guards ‘WON’T be punished with longer sentences providing they say sorry’
Critics fear that officers will be at risk as Government White Paper reveals that cons who lash out will be less likely to get more jail time
CRITICS fear that prisoners will be able to get away with attacks by simply saying sorry or shaking hands thanks to new plans.
The new system, which will be introduced to speed up dealing with prisoners who commit 'lower-level violence', means that lags who lash out at wardens are less likely to have their sentences extended.
Supporters say it's a fairer way to deal with offenders, but some fear the measure, revealed in a Government White Paper on prison reform, means thugs will get off scot-free.
The document, released by the Ministry of Justice, pledges to "encourage governors to take a restorative approach to lower-level violence where appropriate… to resolve conflict between prisoners, and between prisoners and staff".
Attacking police would still result in disciplinary action, but would only be amped up to prosecution for more serious incidents.
Pilot schemes are already running in two Category C prisons - facilities for cons who can't be trusted in open prisons but are unlikely to escape a closed prison.
"Restorative justice works with the tough sentencing measures which we have put in place to deal with assaults against our staff.
"We’ve been clear that levels of violence in prisons are unacceptable and when incidents occur we have a dedicated board which ensures crimes in prison are investigated by the police and prosecuted by the CPS."
The news comes days after it was revealed drugs dealers and bank robbers were enjoying a cushy life behind bars, posting pics of themselves drinking booze, taking drugs and getting takeaways on Facebook.
The images, taken in category C Guys Marsh in Dorset, even showed inmates cooking steaks in their cells.
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