The Lord Chancellor committed to reviewing sentencing in cases of domestic homicide earlier this year and I am pleased that the first stage of this review, an analysis of data, sentencing remarks and outcomes of relevant domestic homicide cases from the past two years, is well underway. We are hopeful that the review will be complete by the end of the year.<\/p>
The first stage of the review is focused on achieving an improved understanding of current sentencing practice, before moving to a second stage which will consider whether any changes to the law are necessary, and if so, what those changes should be. This initial stage will examine how the sentencing legislation and guidelines have been applied, including in cases where a weapon is and is not taken to the scene, and where victims of domestic abuse have killed their abuser. It will also consider how aggravating and mitigating circumstances are taken into account, the use of current defences to charges of murder and manslaughter, and whether there appear to be gender disparities in case outcomes and how the guidelines are being applied.<\/p>
Following this initial stage, the Lord Chancellor intends to appoint an independent expert, with the relevant experience and knowledge in this field, to oversee a more detailed phase of consideration and consultation. Their role will be to consider the findings of the initial case review and data analysis and use that as the basis for identifying potential areas for reform and delivering recommendations for change to the Lord Chancellor.<\/p>
Once the independent expert is in place, we will work with them to finalise the scope and approach for this second phase of the Review, including issues of consultation. Engagement with key stakeholders will be critical and the Lord Chancellor is keen that they have the opportunity to provide their input in helping shape the recommendations. He has already met with both the Victims Commissioner and Domestic Abuse Commissioner to discuss the review as a first step.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4901", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Wolfson of Tredegar"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Wolfson of Tredegar"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-07-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL1805"} , {"_value" : "HL1806"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-07-21T16:57:18.967Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2021-07-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Domestic Abuse: Homicide"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) what are the terms of reference, and (2) what is the planned process, for the Lord Chancellor\u2019s review of sentencing in domestic homicide cases; and what plans they have, if any, to hold a public consultation on this matter.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4540", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Gloucester"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "The Lord Bishop of Gloucester"} ], "uin" : "HL1804"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/89962", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/89962/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
As with all establishment inspection reports by HMIP, NOMS will produce an action plan responding to all the recommendations made in the report within six months of the date of publication.<\/p>
<\/p>
NOMS considers safety a top priority in all of its prisons. The prison will continue to build on its violence reduction strategy and safeguarding policy within the next 12 months to keep those in its care safe. HMYOI Hindley has also recently adopted Minimising and Managing Physical Restraint (MMPR) a new accredited restraint system developed specifically for use with young people (under 18). This provides staff with behaviour management techniques to recognise young people\u2019s behaviour and uses approaches that minimise the need to resort to the use of force.<\/p>
(HL1803)<\/strong><\/p> <\/p> NOMS is committed to ensuring that prison cells remain in a decent and habitable condition. Every prison cell, including at HMYOI Hindley, is subject to daily and weekly checks for damage. There are currently no plans to refurbish every cell at HMYOI Hindley. However, a number of cells will be upgraded to include new robust furniture, and new windows on a priority basis. A scheduled programme of wing and cell painting is also in place at the establishment, and work is ongoing to improve the toilet screens in a number of cells.<\/p> (HL1804)<\/strong><\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4183", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Faulks"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Faulks"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-09-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "HL1803"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-09-22T11:08:40.3350549Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-09-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Hindley Young Offender Institution"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government, in the light of the report published on 15 August by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons on the lower site at Hindley Young Offenders Institution, which found that half the boys held on the lower site were sharing cells designed for one and that many of the cells were dirty and lacked basic amenities, what plans they have to refurbish those cells.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2475", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Stern"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Stern"}
], "uin" : "HL1804"}
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