Law and order has “broken down” in part of Stockton, a meeting heard as the government’s early release scheme was condemned by Stockton Council.
Councillors from different parties and groups aired their concerns about the new sentencing arrangements, starting on October 1.
One member likened the situation to a national emergency at a full meeting of Stockton Council last week (Wednesday, September 23).
Cllr Tony Riordan, leader of Stockton’s Conservative group who represents Norton North, proposed a motion for the council’s chief executive Mike Greene to write to the Lord Chancellor, Alex Norris MP, expressing “this council’s opposition to the release of offenders after serving as little as one third of their custodial sentence”, condemning early release to ease pressure on prisons and urging no such release for offenders posing a significant risk to the public.
Councillor Tony Riordan, the Conservative group leader on Stockton Council, who is also chairman of the Cleveland Police and Crime Panel. No attribution required. Free for use by all BBC wire partners.
He said the motion, which condemned the government’s approach, was “ultimately about public protection, victims and confidence in the criminal justice system… Victims should not be an afterthought.
“There’s a balance to be maintained between rehabilitation, managing prison capacity, effective supervision and public protection," he said.
"But whatever approach government takes, public safety must be central to the system.”
He said police, probation and other agencies needed the resources and capacity to deal with the responsibility of more release and community supervision, pointing to North-east, Stockton and Hartlepool probation ratings of “inadequate” and “requires improvement”, adding: “Those findings should not be simply ignored. They are evidence that the probation system faces real challenge.”
Hartburn Conservative Cllr Niall Innes seconded the motion, saying dangerous criminals should not be released early without being tagged.
Councillor Niall Innes, a Conservative representing Hartburn ward, in Stockton. Picture/credit: Stockton Borough Council. Free for use for all LDRS partners.
He said: “That does not speak at all to the victims of those crimes. It laughs in their faces.”
Hardwick and Salters Lane Labour member Cllr Norma Stephenson, cabinet member for access, communities and community safety, supported the motion, saying the situation arose from a long-term lack of funding for the justice system.
“To me it’s deeply worrying that, for example, a prisoner given a nine-year sentence would be out on release after three," she said.
“It’s not a deterrent against crime and it’s definitely not justice for the victims of crime… It scares me.
Councillor Norma Stephenson from Stockton Council. Picture: LDRS.
“I don’t know what the answer is, and I don’t think anybody in this room does. But in my opinion, early release like this certainly isn’t the answer.”
Cllr Paul Rowling, deputy council leader, cabinet member for regeneration and resources and Labour member for Stockton town centre, said: “I think it is a bit of a disgrace for a country such as ours to have a prison estate which is in such disrepair. We still hear about a lack of fire safety and almost Victorian-style prisons.”
He highlighted people caught in now-abolished indefinite imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentences: “It would appear to me there’s a bit of a scandal going on there. It’ll be interesting to see what comes of that review.”
Cllr Marilyn Surtees, deputy mayor and Labour member for Newtown, said: “I represent the most deprived ward in Stockton, with the highest crime rate. We have gangs of up to 40 in three different locations, drug dealing with all the violence and anti-social behaviour that goes with that.”
She said police worked hard getting offenders to court. “Then the next day they’re back on to the streets because the prisons are full. The judges have nowhere to send them. It’s so frustrating for residents.
“We have to understand that full prisons do have an impact on communities. Law and order is breaking down and in Newtown it’s completely broken down.”
Councillors (l-r) Marilyn Surtees, Paul Rowling and Barry Woodhouse from Stockton Council. Pictures: Stockton Council/LDR.
Cllr Barry Woodhouse, Labour member for Billingham Central, said: “When they are let out, there’s got to be support services and there’s got to be proper probation to look after these people, proper society support for those that deserve it. For those that don’t deserve it, they shouldn’t be let out.”
Cllr Shakeel Hussain, Conservative member for Ropner, said: “I think the criminals have been having a laugh at the moment. It is putting our most vulnerable residents at risk.
“I know there’s no overnight fix. We do need to build more prisons. That deterrent needs to be there.”
Cllr Stephen Richardson, Conservative member for Fairfield, said the policy “shatters public confidence” and was “fundamentally wrong”.
He added: “Shortening that time doesn’t solve the crisis. It insults victims and sends a terrifying message that crime pays.
“When the prison system is broken, you fix the walls. You don’t open the gates.
“Prisons must have the capacity they need, dangerous criminals should stay behind bars. Our first duty is to protect the public, not manage government spreadsheets.”
Fellow Fairfield Conservative Cllr Jack Miller said as a teacher he saw children who were extremely vulnerable to exploitation.
She said: “I’ve seen first-hand the damage criminal gangs can do to young people’s lives. We’ve got so many people [offenders]… that are in and out within a day or two.
“This needs to be looked at cross-party. It needs to be kind of a national emergency.”
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The motion called on the government to provide enough prison places for serious criminals to serve their sentences.
It sought a “firm assurance” that early release exclusions for life and extended sentences, rape, serious child sexual and grooming offences and unlawful killing should be “maintained and applied fully”, and extended to attempted murder, terrorism, serious violence, child abuse and sexual exploitation and serious domestic violence.
It also asked for victims to be informed promptly of proposed changes to offenders’ release dates and given a meaningful opportunity to raise safety concerns, and requested sufficient resources for the Probation Service to protect people. It was passed unanimously.