Jailhouse Rock-abye...

Killers and sex attackers are being allowed to sleep at home during their jail sentence, it was revealed last night.

Well, I suppose at least we should be thankful it’s in their own homes.

So far…

The convicts are entitled to spend up to four days every month in their own beds under an obscure Government policy - which the Tories blame on chronic prison overcrowding.

Note that word: ‘entitled’.

Over a period of two years, the criminal could effectively have their sentence slashed by 100 days.

Mmmm, bad, it’s true.

But then, how many people get sentenced to (or serve) anything like as much as two years any more? So, silver lining, and all that…

In 2006, 3,813 offenders were granted ROR. Last year, 11,599 offenders were allowed out - a leap of 204 per cent in two years.

The Tories say the increase suggests overnight release is being used because of a chronic lack of jail cells.

Hard to say they are wrong there, isn’t it?

And it’s not just Beddy-Bye Release either:

In addition to letting inmates out for up to four nights every month, many criminals are being set free 18 days before their sentences is complete. In 2008, 31,100 offenders were released on the End of Custody Licence.

Perhaps it's time the Advertising Standards Authority got the opportunity to sit in on magistrates and judges passing sentence, to regulate their announcements for truth?

A Prison Service spokesman said: 'Our first priority is to protect the public, and rehabilitating offenders is a vital part of that.

'We know what works…'

Oh, really...?