TNAG-0217-FCO40-253-Detainees-and-prisoners-convicted-for-offences-during-the-di-1970 — Page 101

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4. We should therefore like the Governor to consider

sympathetically their release on medical grounds.

Review Procedure

50

Under the Letters Patent the Governor has discretion

to review sentences and to grant pardons and remissions.

He is normally advised by the Prisons Board of Review,

consisting of four official and two unofficial members

under the chairmanship of the Attorney General. Prison

Rule 69 provides that normal remission will be one-third

of sentence. Rule 69A lays down that prisoners serving

sentences of six years or more will have their sentences

reviewed after four years and thereafter every two years.

Prisoners under twenty-one years old have annual review.

Broadly speaking, the criteria which the Board applies

are the prisoner's health, conduct, character and the

likely public reaction to his release.

5.

In May 1969 the Governor called upon the Board of

Review to examine the cases of confrontation prisoners

serving sentences of four years and more, instead of the

usual six years. This was essentially a device to

secure the release in October 1969 of Wong Chak, the on.

remaining news worker against whom Mr. Grey was being

held. The tactie succeeded and Mr. Grey was released.

It would certainly be appropriate for the Governor to

reconvene the Board two years later, i.c. in May 1971, but

the Governor could do this earlier under the Letters

Patent.

/Argument for Further Review

3

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