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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Lib Dems plan to go soft on drug crimes Graeme Wilson, Political Correspondent Daily Mail, UK Monday 20 Nov 2000 Source: Daily Mail, UK Pub Date: Wednesday, 20 September 2000 Author: Graeme Wilson, Political Correspondent LIB DEMS PLAN TO GO SOFT ON DRUG CRIMES (LIBERAL DEMOCRATS - BOURNEMOUTH 2000) SOME criminals will be given shorter sentences and drug laws could be watered down in the Liberal Democrats' law and order package. The party conference decided yesterday to abandon Labour's 'three strikes and you're out' sentences for serious repeat offenders. They will also consider reclassifying cannabis and ecstasy crimes to carry shorter sentences. Possession of cannabis would no longer be an arrestable offence under their plans. The Bournemouth conference also endorsed policies to allow some criminals to keep their jobs by fulfilling 'weekend and evening custody.' Simon Hughes, LibDem home affairs spokesman, shrugged off criticism that the party would be soft on crime. He said Labour's system was not working and new approaches had to be tried. "It is right for the courts to have tough penalties available to them for serious offenders." "But mandatory three strikes and you're out automatic terms of imprisonment irrespective of circumstances, is wrong," he said. "Judges, not politicians, should set sentences. The Tories cannot have it both ways - no mandatory sentence for Tony Martin but more mandatory sentences for everybody else," he added, referring to the Norfolk farmer convicted for shooting a teenage burglar. He defended the decision to consider controversial recommendations on drug laws made earlier this year by the Police Foundation. "The media may want to say we want to decriminalise this or that drug - not true. "For a start, the report does not propose decriminalisation," he said. Mr Hughes told the audience the party wanted an extra 6,000 police officers, as well as to create a new Community Safety Constabulary to support police and give visible reassurance to the public. Stressing that it costs £25,000 a year to keep someone in prison, he said it was vital to cut re-offending levels. "Failure to provide treatment for sex offenders, drug rehabilitation and pre-release preparation to all the thousands of prisoners who need it is dangerous," he argued.
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