Power Cut

Justice secretary Jack Straw is report­edly considering giving up his power to block the transfer of long-term offend­ers into open prisons in preparation for their release. The Parole Board has the power to recommend transfer to an open prison, but the final say remains with Straw or one of his ministers. Director of the Howard League for Penal Reform, Frances Crook, says that if Straw does give up the power, it would be a welcome step to take towards depoliticising the exercise of criminal justice in this country. She adds, however: “We’ve seen in the past that it only takes one high profile case and a furore in the tabloids for our politicians to revert to type and interfere in the pursuit of headlines.”