Jess Phillips tells Burnham: Do not let domestic abusers out early

Jess Phillips has told Andy Burnham to block domestic abusers convicted of coercive or controlling behaviour from being released from prison early. Domestic abuse perpetrators are often convicted for crimes such as common assault, affray or criminal damage, but the specific charge of coercive or controlling behaviour was introduced under the Serious Crime Act 2015 to combat this type of offending. The Labour MP and former safeguarding minister said the Government should look again at the list of offences that were exempt from early release to better protect victims of domestic abuse. Women in the parliamentary Labour Party criticised Mr Burnham after the announcement that rapists and serious child sex offenders , including grooming gang perpetrators, would be removed from the planned early release scheme this autumn but domestic abusers would not. Offenders convicted of controlling or coercive behaviour were blocked from early release when Ms Phillips was serving in the Home Office. More exemptions needed Despite Mr Burnham’s urgent review of the planned early release of 5,000 prisoners, those given custodial sentences for domestic abuse will remain eligible to be freed halfway through their sentences, as the Government seeks to head off an overcrowding crisis within the prison system. The former minister told The Telegraph: “I think that going forward, the Government should absolutely look at other things that may be exempted and the possibilities for the future. “And coercive and controlling behaviour should be on that list.” An offender can be convicted of coercive and controlling behaviour if they have committed, or threatened to commit, physical or sexual assault against a partner or family member. Other behaviours that can result in the charge include forcing a partner into debt, substance abuse or criminal behaviour, or by controlling their daily movements or routine.