The Justice Secretary Alex Chalk has ordered an “urgent review” of compensation laws following the case of Andrew Malkinson, whose sentence was overturned last week after he served seventeen years in prison for a rape he didn’t commit
Malkinson fears he will face deductions to his payout for the cost of his jail food and shelter.
Under existing rules, if you are wrongly convicted and your liberty taken away, savings made on living costs while in prison can be deducted from any compensation awarded
The rules date back to a decision made in 2007 by the House of Lords.
The Prime Minister’s press secretary said he did not believe it was right “in principle” for people imprisoned for crimes they did not commit to pay for living costs.
“I don’t know the details of the exact case and I believe it is an independent board that reviews and then makes the decision,” said the press secretary.
“But in principle, for someone who was wrongly convicted I don’t think the Prime Minister thinks it would be fair for them to have to repay costs because they have wrongfully been kept in prison for something that they didn’t do.”
