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Jack Straw: 'Punishing criminals must come before offenders' needs'

By John Hirst

Jack Straw: 'Punishing criminals must come before offenders' needs'

Punishing criminals must be the main factor in guiding sentencing policy, Jack Straw will say in a speech as he admits that the Government has too often concentrated on the needs of offenders.

I might be too cynical, but all this sounds rather too much like political posturing. That is, "we can be tougher than the Tories". It appears that Jack Straw is merely gearing up for the next election.

The Daily Telegraph informs us that Jack Straw will say two words. It is not clear from the gibberish what those two words are. They may be punishment and reform. In any event, I have two words for Jack Straw...

Fuck Off.

UPDATE: The Guardian clarifies what Jack Straw is trying to say. I still say it is political waffle.

The BBC reports that the gutter press is getting stuck in as well...

Papers urge action over 'cushy jails'

Most of Monday's papers are covering a speech yet to be made in which Jack Straw will, according to the Daily Mirror, signal the end of cushy jails.

The Daily Mail says the justice secretary will launch "a withering attack on liberal justice groups who 'drive him nuts'."

But its editorial suggests his words are out of step with his actions in office.

The Sun too believes actions speak louder than words, saying "if you mean business, give us those new prisons".

Full post as published by prisonlawinsideout on October 27, 2008 (boomark / email).