December 20

December 20, 2005: Investigation into John Monckton's Murder

Home Secretary Charles Clarke has announced an investigation by the Chief Inspector Of Probation into the events surrounding the murder of John Monckton. Probation Union Napo had earlier called for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the murder, including the reasons for parole decisions and all supervision plans. Mr Clarke stated:

'The tragic death of John Monckton raises a number of serious questions about the release from prison and supervision in the community of Damien Hanson and Elliott White. I have therefore asked Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Probation, Andrew Bridges, to conduct an urgent investigation into these matters."

'It is essential that we have in place systems to deal with violent offenders which are as rigorous as possible and minimise the risk to the public that such offenders may pose."

'Mr Bridges will look carefully at what happened in this case, and whether there are wider implications for the release and management of offenders, in particular the case management and risk assessment of Hanson and White. I expect him to report back to me early next year with clear recommendations and lessons from this case.'

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