The Government is to set a new effective minimum sentence of 12 years for murder as part of its plan to reform the parole system. The Parole Bill will see this rise to 12 years, Mr Flanagan told the Parole Board’s annual conference. The board released Mr Doyle because of his efforts at reform, including setting up an organisation while in prison to assist ex-inmates. “The interpretation of the proposed increase in minimum term by decision-makers is crucial in terms of its potential impact on time served,” the Irish Penal Reform Trust said in its submission to Government. “Is the 12-year minimum term to operate as the default point at which a life sentence prisoner is to be released?

Source: The Irish Times May 10, 2018 18:33 UTC