TNAG-0113-FCO40-149-Detainees-and-prisoners-following-19671968-disturbances-1969 — Page 106

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Last year the Board of Review recommended that 44 young

prisoners serving sentences of one year or more should have their

sentences reduced and the Governor granted the remissions recommended by

the Board. Two further young prisoners, both women, have also had their

sentences reduced by the Governor today on a recommendation of the Board

made in the course of a periodic review.

Recently a number of items of emergency legislation have been

withdrawn and there are a number of long-term prisoners serving prison

sentences for offences which took place under emergency legislation while

it was in force. In these circumstances and in the light of changed

conditions the Governor has therefore directed the Board of Review to

examine the records of all prisoners currently serving four years or more

in prison for offences connected with the 1967 disturbances to see if there

are any circumstances in individual cases which might justify a remission

of sentence.

Such a review does not necessarily mean that people sentenced

under emergency laws will automatically have their sentences reduced since

many other factors such as the particular type of offence involved, the

conduct of the prisoner and, possibly, other crimes of which he was found

guilty and sentenced at the same time have to be taken into account.

Release time: 8.00 p.m.

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