03/07/2025
Chris English
By Chris English
Have a browse below through our weekly overview of news from the criminal justice sector.
CCRC chief steps down following miscarriage of justice concerns
Karen Kneller has resigned from her position as Chief Executive of the Criminal Cases Review Commission. The move follows criticism of how the Commission handled several wrongful conviction cases. Dame Vera Baird KC has taken over as Chair and is leading a review of the Commission’s decision-making processes and casework.
Scottish early release scheme sparks criticism
A recent change in Scottish law now allows prisoners to be considered for home detention after serving just 15 percent of their sentence. Victim Support Scotland has expressed concern that the measure could damage public trust in the justice system.
Man, 92, jailed for historic murder and rape
Ryland Headley has been sentenced at Bristol Crown Court for the 1967 rape and murder of Louisa Dunne, aged 75. This case is the oldest murder ever solved in the United Kingdom. Advances in forensic science, including DNA profiling and palm print analysis, provided the evidence that secured Headley’s conviction. He received a life sentence with a minimum term of 20 years, Avon and Somerset Police credited the outcome to decades of persistent detective work.
Technology firms propose controversial tracking measures
At a recent Ministry of Justice meeting on offender management, several leading technology companies suggested the use of implanted microchips to monitor individuals released from prison. Other proposals included automated sentencing tools and robotic prison assistants. While the Ministry said these ideas are still at an exploratory stage, civil liberties campaigners raised concerns about privacy and warned of a shift toward excessive state surveillance, the companies involved were tech giants such as Google and Amazon in addition to leaders in AI development Palantir.