Gary Glitter freed “automatically”!!

[Sep200024]

What is this all about, now?

BBC article about Gary Glitter being released from prison today.

It states in the article that he was sentenced to 16 years, but has now been freed “automatically” after serving half that?!?

What on earth is the point of the sentence if it is “automatically” halved?!?!

I don’t understand this, and I’m also wondering how many other child sex offenders this applies to that maybe don’t get the same level of publicity as Gary Glitter.

The good thing is that he will be heavily monitored from what I have read. He has to give notice when he intends to travel anywhere either, which no more trips on the quiet to Asia, where most of his offending took place.

Yes @Sep200024 sentences are automatically halved if the prisoner has shown good behaviour. They then spend the rest on licence as PP have explained. It's crazy but it's true.
My daughter worked in a cat B prison (all offenders apart from terrorists).
Those of good behaviour live a decent life - own clothes, x box/PlayStation, huge tv and leather sofas in the lounge. Prison officers supplying mobile phones and turning a blind eye to drugs being handed over during visiting.

@Sep200024

I appreciated the rehabilitation element, but silly me thought that being released on licence came after the sentence was served, and that being released early was subject to parole.

Sometimes it is subject to parole. The system can be quite complex.

Incidentally, if you haven't read it, I highly recommend reading The Governor by Vanessa Frake. She worked in several high security prisons, and was for a while governor of Wormwood Scrubs. The book is both super-readable and really fascinating on the inner workings of prison, and the justice system. A must-read for anyone interested in the topic, I'd say.

blooming autocue, He has to give notice when he travels anywhere, so can't sneak off to other countries without authorities being fully aware.

@TellySavalashairbrush thank the universe for that!
Will we know where he's living?

Not all, a life sentence doesn't work like that.

Sentences for murder always carry a life sentence. The judge sets a minimum tariff to be served in custody (tariff cd be a full life tariff). For example, the killer gets a life sentence with a 30 year tariff. After that he can be considered for parole, but no automatic release. If he is released on parole then he's on licence for life.

A life sentence can be given for rape - it's 3 years to life I think.

Ex probation officer here. Yes, all prisoners get released at the 1/2 way point of their sentence in order to rehabilitate them in the community before they complete their sentence and are released with no help.

It's much cheaper to help someone in the community than prison and the idea is the prisoner learns to live in the community again with (in theory at least) help to access mental health, job, and housing services. They will have licence conditions, where they won't be allowed to associate with certain people or go to certain places, in the case of sex offenders they often won't be allowed near parks and schools or to be alone with children under a certain age.

They are also under the constant threat of being recalled to prison, although this is usually for a month at a time unless they repeat offences.

Those who end up serving inside until the end of their sentences are generally, on release, given £40 and told to go on their merry way and services have absolutely no control over where they go and who they associate with.

So there is method in what seems like the madness.

Does the fact that this piece of shit is a repeat offender not have any bearing on the automatic halfway through sentence release from custody?
Surely he's regarded as a proven threat to children?

It just shows how little respect there is for the victims of sexual abuse.

I have a few friends who have 'served time'. Non for violent crimes or crimes against women or children (they wouldn't be my friends in that case obv).
One was drug smuggling/dealing and he served a longer sentence in prison than GG. 12 years. Then another 9 years on licence. This was in the 90s. His wife, my friend, did six months in Holloway for money laundering connected to her husbands conviction.
One was convicted of theft (stupid idiot ran raided atm cash machines). He served a few years in prison but was out on day release a couple of years into his sentence. Then out completely, on licence.
Good to say, both have turned their lives around and are living normal lives with their families, earning an honest living.
Sex /violent offenders should be treated differently imo

Actually your post has made me think that a lot of the language used is about gaslighting

of course you think the term “prison sentence” means the actual time served in prison. That’s a totally logical and reasonable assessment of the words. I can’t remember when I found out that’s not what it means.

yes, the pitiful sentences we hear about aren’t even that. So I’m not surprised Glitter is out.

Exactly.
He’s a repeat offender and the fact that he has to give notice of intention to travel doesn’t stop him. Probably easy and cheap abroad to get another piece of scum to line up the children for you.
Pity he couldn’t have been put down.

Another reason why I hate this country so much. It's appalling. He will definitely just be going around to 3rd world countries to continue abusing children. To say I'm disgusted is understatement.

They should be on lifelong overnight curfew, never permitted to travel out of their county and receive monthly depot injections in order to curb their perversions. Internet restricted as well.

I was hoping the intention to travel meant they could stop him going abroad to abuse more kids.

It should have an effect on length of sentence overall rather than the time served in custody vs on licence

I have no words for someone this stupid.

Is there really much point to the whole prison thing overall, then?

I am beginning to wonder, because it seems that basically we let most of our known offenders out to roam the streets anyway.

If anything, the longest prison sentences you hear of tend to be for financial crimes and fraud. Hardly the ones that are a danger to be on the street. Put them out on license and use the money saved to lock up the likes of Gary Glitter for longer!

Another prisoner realised today was the biological mother of young Tony Hudgell, who abused him so badly during the first few weeks of his life, that he had to have both legs amputated. She was halfway through her 10 year sentence too.

Part of the condition of her release is that she isn't allowed near where he lives. It seems unbelievable that poor Tony will continue to suffer for what she did for the rest of his life and she has only had to serve 5 years in prison (and 5 years on licence).

What on earth does someone have to do to get MORE than 5 years?

It’s just soul destroying.

He knows how to play the system keep his head down and he will be out sooner

repeat sex offenders should never be released early they can only be monitored to a degree the risk is too great how we sentence and manage sex offenders has to change

I'm in no way defending him. But I used to work with offenders and I feel the judges are aware of the fact people will potentially serve half the sentence if the behave. But equally have sentencing guidelines and constraints

So much misinformation on this thread. Firstly, people, need to stop talking about good behaviour. If you are at the designated release point, you are coming out. Secondly, it’s not a question of someone on licence telling Police/Probation they are going abroad - they need permission. Thirdly, some prisoners need to reach the 2/3 point of their sentence before they are parole eligible.

That’s interesting @Greenshake.

The BBC article states that Glitter was released automatically at the half way point.

I’d like to know what offences warrant staying in to the 2/3 point, as looks like raping and violently attacking children is not serious enough.

There's so much ignorance around! No, no offenders should serve all of their sentence inside. There are two main reasons, with many other as well.

First, it makes prisons safer. Because offenders have something to lose if they misbehave inside. Including for guards, whose job is very difficult.

Second, it makes us safer. Being out on licence means monitoring and the ability to recall to prison if they breach. Giving professionals the chance to assess risk.

This thinking that people who know nothing about offending, the system or psychology is dangerous. It's too easy for the powers that be to instigate policies to appease idiots and cause more offending in the process. So much law and order policy is based on ignorance.