Prison wage cuts to help victims

Monday, 26 September 2011 12:28 PM

By Phil ScullionFollow @PhilScullion

Prisoners face wage cuts which will help raise around £1 million per year for victim support services.

Those who earn over £20 a week after tax, national insurance and any court order or child support payments will be affected by the 40% pay cut.

Policing minister Nick Herbert announced the implementation of the Prisoners' Earning Act, which comes into force today, by saying that prisoners have avoided taking part in repairing the financial burden of crime for "too long".

He continued: "Making offenders pay financial reparation to victims will require them to take personal responsibility for their crimes and go some way towards making redress to victims through the funding of crucial support services."

Despite the change only around 500 prisoners are expected to be affected as the average weekly wage is just £10, below the scope of the pay cut.

Juliet Lyons, Prison Reform Trust director, expressed support for the idea but warned against any reduction in the money earned by prisoners which is put aside to help them re-enter society.
She said: "It's always a problem if people leave prison with absolutely nothing. It's likely to cause further offending.

"A scheme like this has to be thought through carefully so that money is set aside for victims but that we also pay attention to resettlement."

However the move has gained broad support, particularly from the victim support services which are due to benefit.

Louise Casey, victim's commissioner, said: "Victims want criminals to be punished for their crimes and make amends for the harm they have caused.

"I believe the principle of criminals contributing to the costs of support for victims should be extended, and am hopeful that the government will now extend the victims' surcharge that judges and magistrates impose such that it applies to all offenders."

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• victim support