TNAG-0216-FCO40-252-Detainees-and-prisoners-convicted-for-offences-during-the-di-1970 — Page 11

C. O. Ref: SSA 197/04

CIRCULAR 577/60

Sir,

COLONIAL

OFFICE

DESPATCH

Ans registered

On SSA 117/05

THE CHURCH HOUSE,

LONDON, S. W. 1.

26th May, 1960

ifi

REVIEW OF LONG-TERM PRISON SENTENCES

I have the honour to refer to Mr. Lennox-Boyd's circular No. 1318/58 of the 4th December, 1958 about the periodical review of long-term prison sentences and to send you a copy of a Memorandum on this subject which has now been presented to me by my Advisory Committee on the Treatment of Offenders.

༡..

As you will see from this Memorandum, the replies to the above- mentioned circular show that wide differences exist, as between the various overseas territories, in the arrangements, whether statutory or administrative, for keeping long prison sentences under review. The Committee has recommended that, with respect to indeterminate sentences, that is to say, life sentences and those of detention 'during pleasure', the system followed in the United Kingdom should be adopted overseas. With respect to fixed sentences they have made recommendations having particular relevance to conditions prevailing overseas. )

3.

With regard to procedure, they have suggested the adopțion of a special form of the kind enclosed with their Memorandum; and they have drawn attention to the Board for the review of long-term sentences estab- lished in Hong Kong. They have recommended that arrangements for periodical review should be provided for by statute or regulation in all territories in which they are not already so provided for.

4.

I welcome the recommendations of my Advisory Committee on this subject and I shall be grateful if, in due course, you will arrange for me to be informed whether any changes in accordance with the recommendations in this Memorandum may be contemplated in the territory under your administration.

5.

This despatch is addressed to all Governors (except the Governors of the Falkland Islands, Eastern, Northern and Western Regions of Nigeria, Somaliland Protectorate and St. Helena); High Commissioners; Resident Commissioners; Administrators; the British Resident, Zanzibar, and

/the

See

particularly paras in

sidelined

(8,10,11)

in attached refiert.

перят

Mu