Written question WQ88825
- Asked by
- Rhys ab OwenIndependent
- To be answered by
- Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 9 days
Question
What discussions has the Minister had with the Ministry of Justice regarding the refunding of prison stay fees of wrongfully imprisoned individuals?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip
The UK Government is responsible for justice, including the compensation scheme for miscarriages of justice.
Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk announced on 6 August that from immediate effect the miscarriage of justice compensation scheme guidance on ‘saved living costs’ would be discontinued. The guidance allowed the scheme’s independent assessor to deduct costs such as rent or mortgage payments not incurred during the recipients time in prison from compensation payments.
The change came in the wake of widespread media coverage of the Andrew Malvin who spent 17 years in prison after being wrongly committed of rape.
Whilst I have had no formal discussion with the Ministry of Justice about the scheme, I welcome the amendment.