Crime and Justice (King's Speech 2023)

The King's Speech 2023 unveiled a series of crucial legislative initiatives addressing the pressing issues of crime and justice. These proposed reforms represent the Government's commitment to ensuring a fair and just legal system. I am pleased to share with you the key highlights from these legislative proposals:

Sentencing Bill:

  • The Sentencing Bill mandates whole-life sentences for the most heinous murderers, ensuring they remain incarcerated for the rest of their lives. This includes cases involving sexual or sadistic conduct, offering little to no chance of parole.
  • The legislation prevents rapists and individuals convicted of serious sexual offenses from being released early. Previously, some offenders were eligible for release after serving only 50% of their sentence. The Sentencing Bill ensures that they serve their full sentences behind bars.
  • The Bill introduces changes that increase the likelihood of individuals convicted of lesser crimes serving their sentences in the community rather than in prison. This aims to balance punitive measures for serious offenses while considering alternative sentencing options for less severe crimes.

 

Criminal Justice Bill:

  • The Criminal Justice Bill grants judges more powers to ensure that criminals, particularly those convicted of serious crimes, attend court for their sentencing. This allows victims to confront offenders and underscores the gravity of their actions. If offenders still refuse, they will face a further two years in prison.
  • The legislation empowers law enforcement to seize stolen goods without a warrant when they have reasonable proof that a specific stolen item is located in a property or premises. This is facilitated by advancements in technology, such as GPS location tracking.
  • The Bill focuses on combatting knife crime, a prevalent issue in many communities, by implementing measures to address and reduce its occurrence.
  • The legislation aims to tackle anti-social behaviour, which can disrupt communities and negatively impact families. It grants the police more authority to maintain order and safety.
  • The Bill introduces statutory aggravating factors for sentencing. This includes ensuring that grooming gang members and their leaders receive the harshest possible sentences, as well as making partner murders at the end of a relationship an aggravating factor for sentencing.

 

Victims and Prisoners Bill:

  • The Victims and Prisoners Bill prohibits certain prisoners, likely those convicted of severe offenses, from getting married while in prison. This is intended to restrict the rights and privileges of these individuals.
  • The legislation prioritises the rights of crime victims, ensuring their voices are heard and considered in the justice system.
  • Ministers will gain the authority to veto the release of the most dangerous offenders, enhancing the government's ability to protect the public from potential harm.
  • The bill ensures the implementation of Jade's Law, which likely involves changes in parental rights and responsibilities within the criminal justice system.

 

Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill:

  • Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill grants law enforcement agencies enhanced access to specific personal data. This is aimed at helping them combat evolving threats and criminal activities more effectively.
  • The legislation mandates technology companies to work closely with the Home Office to clear security features and protocols. This ensures that the government can maintain security and adapt to new technologies effectively.
  • The bill addresses the ever-evolving technological landscape and the potential threats it poses to national security. It ensures that intelligence agencies have the necessary tools and powers to counter threats from various sources, such as terrorists, hostile state actors, child abusers, and criminal gangs.
  • The legislation updates the 2016 Investigatory Powers Act to ensure that the framework for investigatory powers remains suitable for addressing new technological advancements. This enables security and law enforcement agencies to stay up-to-date with evolving technology and maintain effective national security measures.

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This new legislative programme will build on the work the Government has already taken to cut crime and keep our streets safe, backed by 20,000 new police officers and the largest prison building programme in 100 years, creating over 20,000 more prison places.

I trust that these developments will help improve our criminal justice system, and I want to assure you that the Government is working hard to make improvements.