Brind
29-07-2003, 04:22 PM
New plans under consideration by the Home Office could see criminals allowed to buy their way out of prison.
The system - which opponents claim is similar to the 'blood money' arrangements that operate in Saudi Arabia - would see violent offenders able to reduce their sentences by making compensation payments to victims.
The controversial plans were revealed in a leaked letter sent by Home Secretary David Blunkett to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.
The letter suggested 'an offer to pay compensation to be taken into account as part of sentencing'.
Conservative home affairs spokesman Oliver Letwin condemned the proposal, warning the Daily Mail newspaper, 'we can't move back to a system that was old-fashioned in the Middle Ages'.
The letter also reveals Cabinet opposition to Mr Blunkett's plans to increase the cost of home insurance to fund compensation claims.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Paul Boateng - Gordon Brown's number two - warned the Home Secretary that insurance companies cannot be held responsible for the criminal actions of others.
However, the Treasury did approve plans to increase parking fines by £35.
The system - which opponents claim is similar to the 'blood money' arrangements that operate in Saudi Arabia - would see violent offenders able to reduce their sentences by making compensation payments to victims.
The controversial plans were revealed in a leaked letter sent by Home Secretary David Blunkett to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.
The letter suggested 'an offer to pay compensation to be taken into account as part of sentencing'.
Conservative home affairs spokesman Oliver Letwin condemned the proposal, warning the Daily Mail newspaper, 'we can't move back to a system that was old-fashioned in the Middle Ages'.
The letter also reveals Cabinet opposition to Mr Blunkett's plans to increase the cost of home insurance to fund compensation claims.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Paul Boateng - Gordon Brown's number two - warned the Home Secretary that insurance companies cannot be held responsible for the criminal actions of others.
However, the Treasury did approve plans to increase parking fines by £35.