Prisoners recalled to jail failing to return within time

Almost one in five offenders recalled to prison after being released on licence in Staffordshire have failed to return on time, new figures reveal.

Figures from the Staffordshire Criminal Justice Board showed in the six months ending June 2010, 19 per cent of offenders who breached their release licence were not recalled within the time required - which is around 30 out of 158 prisoners.

High risk offenders must be returned to custody within 72 hours and within 144 hours for lower risk cases.

Many offenders return to the community on licence following a period in prison and complete a successful rehabilitation.

But some are prone to breaking the conditions of their licence and therefore become subject of recall to custody.

At the present time, according to the Staffordshire Criminal Justice Board, there are only three individuals remaining at large, with some out of the national jurisdiction.

The organisation says this is very low compared to other areas.

However, Stone MP Bill Cash said there was no excuse for returning prisoners late.

Mr Cash said: "It's an extremely serious matter.

"First of all, I believe a lot of sentences are far too light. Secondly, some people get out far too soon.

"Thirdly, most people are not properly rehabilitated, and fourthly it's inexcusable that some of these people should be let out at all.

"To have offenders at large is completely unacceptable. In my opinion there is no excuse whatsoever."

Angela Staplehurst, deputy head of Probation Service Staffordshire said: "The Probation Service, the Police and National Offender Management Service are working closely together to share information and improve working practices such as the 'early warning system' for recall, whereby the Probation Service shares intelligence with the police on the likely whereabouts of the offender at the point at which recall is requested.

"This has proved to be both swift and effective.

"Better information sharing and a clear and consistent identification of these offenders has greatly assisted in ensuring their timely arrest."