‘Outrage’ as victims of miscarriages of justice won’t get prison living costs refund
THE Government was blasted last night for refusing to refund prison living costs charged to victims of miscarriages of justice.
Last year, then-Justice Secretary Alex Chalk vowed to put an end to charging wrongfully convicted people with “living costs” for time spent banged up for crimes they did not commit.
It came after a campaign fought by Andrew Malkinson, who was made to pay up part of his hard-won compensation for spending 17 years in jail for a crime he did not commit.
But it emerged yesterday the change would only affect new cases — as the rules are not being applied retroactively.
Paul Blackburn, who was wrongfully jailed for nearly 25 years at the age of 15, is among those who will not see a penny returned.
Despite the Court of Appeal finding that police had fabricated evidence, more than £100,000 was deducted from his compensation payment for rent and food costs he would have had to pay as a free man.
The Government is said to have written to Mr Blackburn’s solicitors to say that the changes will not apply in his case — and the cash he was made to give back will remain lost.
Mr Blackburn, now 61, has said the decision is “morally wrong”.
His solicitors may launch a legal challenge against the Government.
Labour peer Lord Falconer, who was Justice Secretary under Tony Blair, said the news was an “absolute outrage” and demanded ministers pay back the deductions in all cases, including those where compensation has already been settled.