John Reid provides solution to tagging row
Home Secretary John Reid sought to end to row over tagging today by pledging his “personal intervention”.
A recent report has indicated that prisoners released early under electronic tagging schemes have killed five people in the last seven years.
Prisoners can be released up to 135 days before the end of their sentence under the tagging scheme which is £70-a-day cheaper per prisoner compared to jail.
To put an end the problem Mr Reid promised to personally administer a new form of tag which is more difficult to remove. The new tag is said to be 9mm in diameter and is projected into the back of the prisoners’ neck at over 300 m/s.
Mr Reid said: “I am confident that with this new system in operation, proudly sponsored by our friends at Glock, we will witness a vast reduction in the rate pof re-offending amongst our prison population.”
A recent report has indicated that prisoners released early under electronic tagging schemes have killed five people in the last seven years.
Prisoners can be released up to 135 days before the end of their sentence under the tagging scheme which is £70-a-day cheaper per prisoner compared to jail.
To put an end the problem Mr Reid promised to personally administer a new form of tag which is more difficult to remove. The new tag is said to be 9mm in diameter and is projected into the back of the prisoners’ neck at over 300 m/s.
Mr Reid said: “I am confident that with this new system in operation, proudly sponsored by our friends at Glock, we will witness a vast reduction in the rate pof re-offending amongst our prison population.”
So, let's say 5,000 prisoners were released on this tagging scheme (I couldn't find the actual number anywhere), that means a potential saving of £47M. That's £9.5M per life. I reckon the Government value on a human life is probably somewhat lower than that. Around £300,000 at a guess. So if they only released 30 prisoners and 5 people died as a result, then they'd probably made the wrong decision. As it is, their risk assessment people probably knew this would happen, and stand by the choice they made. Now they just need to bullshit us into believing that they don't operate in so cynical a way.
By the way, your scheme would save considerably more than £47M, and if it was extended to all offences, would reduce crime, decimate the prison population, stop road death (speed snipers would be a more effective deterrent at accident blackspots than speed cameras) and make it safe to walk the strees at night. And it would enable the government to significantly reduce taxes. In fact, if it was also extended to include illegal immigrants, it would make an excellent Tory policy.
Posted by
Matt |
Fri Oct 13, 11:55:00 am