November 11, 2009: New Inquiry Into Ex-Service Prisoners

The Howard League for Penal Reform has today (Armistice Day) announced an independent inquiry into former armed service personnel in prison. The inquiry will be chaired by leading barrister Sir John Nutting QC.

The inquiry’s advisory group comprises:

• Admiral the Lord Boyce GCB OBE DL
• General the Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank GCB LVO OBE DL
• Major General David Jenkins
• Wing Commander Dr Hugh Milroy, Chief Executive of Veterans Aid
• Chris Sheffield OBE, former governor of Liverpool and Manchester prisons
• Elfyn Llwyd MP

The inquiry is expected to last a year, and in which time the inquiry will hold consultation sessions with key stakeholders, visit prisons and go to the United States to examine new developments such as the introduction of Veterans’ Courts.

There are currently 84,593 people in prison in England and Wales, and estimates put the proportion who have previously served in the armed forces at anywhere between 5% and 10%. This means that at any one time some 4,000 to 8,300 prisoners have served in the armed forces.

Over 20,000 ex-servicemen are either in prison, being supervised by the probation service, or on parole, according to an earlier study from probation union Napo.

The vast majority are male. Many are former army, although the navy too is represented, particularly the Royal Marines. Soldiers comprise by far the largest occupational group in the prison system.

In addition, there are a large number of ex-servicemen who are under supervision and serving community sentences or are being supervised following a lengthy prison sentence.

The inquiry is being held at the instigation of Howard League President Lord Carlile QC, after he received representations concerning the numbers of former armed service personnel in the prison system.

Lord Carlile QC said:

“As the oldest penal reform charity in the world, and with United Nations consultative status, the Howard League for Penal Reform is well placed to launch such an important inquiry. I hope this inquiry will start a debate on how to deal with those most affected by their time in the forces. It is imperative that we find ways to help prevent armed service personnel ending up in prison."

“It is fitting that the inquiry launches on Armistice Day, when the whole country remembers the sacrifices our armed forces have made on our behalf.”

Sir John Nutting QC, chair of the inquiry, said:

“I am delighted to have been invited by the Howard League for Penal Reform to chair this important inquiry. There is mounting evidence that increasing numbers of former armed service personnel are finding themselves in prison and we are worried as to the implications. It is widely known that many former armed service personnel face difficulties when returning to the community as a civilian."

“We need to get to the bottom of why so many of them find themselves caught up in the criminal justice system after they have left the services. It is vital that the complex needs of armed forces personnel are adequately addressed and that we do everything we can to help those who serve their country adjust to civilian life.”