They will be treated better than some prisoners in that they will almost certainly be allowed to wear their own clothes, have a radio and TV in their cells, be allowed to bring some home comforts (like curtains) and might not be forced to attend work or education.The normal protocol here is that people serve half their sentence behind bars and are then released on an electronic tag (which enforces a curfew at a specific address between 7pm and 7am). Because our prisons are overcrowded, some prisoners are released earlier than the half-way mark, and it is likely that Huhne and Pryce will fall into this group.
The highlighted part is utter rubbish. No they will not be treated differently at all.
1. All prisoners are allowed to wear their own clothes as long as they are not on the basic regime or on an escape risk regime where they have to wear a blue and yellow "Harlequin" sweater and bottoms . (Higher category prisons may not allow it and anyone classified as a high escape risk while transferring prisons or attending court). Prisoners are allowed a certain amount of personal clothing which is recorded on their property card. They may have more than the allowed amount, so the extra is stored at the prison reception.
2. TV and radio. TV is automatically in every cell. The prisoner pays towards the cost at a rate of 50p per week if sharing a cell and £1 a week if in a single cell. The 5 basic terrestrial channels are provided and now that the digital switch-over is complete an additional 4 or 5 channels are supplementary at the governor's discretion.
There are 3 levels of classification in terms of behaviour and privileges; basic, standard and enhanced. Everyone starts on standard. That entitles the prisoner to a TV. Other equipment allowed will be found on the list for each classification and prison. A radio in this case will be allowed by all prisoners who are standard or enhanced. If on basic a TV is not allowed unless sharing a cell with a prisoner who is still on the standard or enhanced regime.
3. Home comforts like curtains. Nope - bedding has to be approved by the governor and conform to fire and safety standards, same with curtains etc.
This may well change in a D-cat, but if they want such comforts then they will only be able to purchase them from an approved supplier, not bring them from home.
4. Work. They are convicted and are therefore required to work or do education. If they refuse to work then they will be put onto a basic regime with loss of privileges.
They will go through all the same procedures as anyone else. It's likely that Huhne will be categorised as a D catagory prisoner and therefore moved to a D-cat prison (open prison) although lower category prisoners can be housed in higher category prisons.
Release dates.
2. Early Release Back to top
2.1 Home detention curfew (HDC) Back to top
The details are laid out in PSO 6700. Home Detention Curfew came into effect on 28 January 1999, having been passed into law by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. Section 34A of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 and section 246 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 set out the HDC provisions.
Eligibility for HDC is subject to satisfactory risk assessment and suitable accommodation approved by the Probation Service.
Sentence length and required time to be served:
3 months or more but less then 4 months 30 days
4 months or more but less then 8 months one quarter of sentence
8 months or more, but less than 4 years half of sentence minus 60 days
HDC and the ‘presumption of unsuitability’
The Criminal Justice Act 2003 (CJA 2003) made a considerable impact on the Home Detention Curfew (HDC) scheme. The HDC provisions under Part 12, Chapter 6 of the CJA 2003 apply to all prisoners serving sentences of 12 months or more in respect of offences committed on or after 4 April 2005. The Criminal Justice Act 1991 (CJA 1991) continues to govern the eligibility for HDC for all other prisoners.
Early release on HDC is not an entitlement and will only be granted where the prisoner meets the eligibility criteria and passes a risk assessment. Reports are prepared for the HDC Board at your establishment to consider when making a recommendation as to whether you should be released on tag. The recommendation will then be brought to the attention of the Governor (or Comptroller) who will have the final decision..........
http://www.unlock.org.uk/xoffenders.aspx?sid=116
There is more info at that page, I just haven't cut and pasted it due to forum rules. I've highlighted the relevant part regarding possible release dates.
Therefore the earliest Huhne can be released on HDC is half sentence minus 60 days. Works out at 2 months. (although so does 1/4 of 8 months).
That doesn't mean it's automatic, but the likelihood is that is what will happen.
Apparently Huhne would have got nine months had it not been for his last minute guilty plea, so he got 11% off, or 10% rounded to the nearest whole month. The CPS are pursuing costs too.
from one jailbird to a bloke who ought to be jailed for his expenses, she sure can pick 'em.
