The Know Daily - Monday 30 October 2023

_{Read in 5m 34s ∙ Listening to Young Fathers}

The use of snares and glue traps has been banned in Wales, marking what the Welsh government described as a “historic day for animal welfare”. Campaigners have welcomed the new rule - the first of its kind among UK nations - saying that it will protect “wild, farmed and domestic animals”.

⚖️ A way to reduce reoffending?

From today, thousands of ex-offenders will no longer have to declare their convictions when applying for jobs or housing, under a law change aimed at reducing reoffending rates.

What’s the story?
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) changed the law through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act last year to allow some convictions to be “spent”. This reduces the time that some ex-offenders are legally required to declare their convictions, for example when applying for jobs, a mortgage or insurance.

The overhaul means that the crimes of those serving prison sentences of four years or more for less serious offences will fall into the “spent” category after seven years, as long as no further offence is committed. The period will be shorter depending on the severity of the crime.

The MoJ estimates that nearly 125,000 people a year will benefit from the law change.

How else will it work?
For children, the time for spent convictions will be half that of adults. In addition, “offenders who have committed serious sexual, violent, or terrorist offences are excluded from the changes”, said The Independent.

Those undergoing DBS checks to work with young or vulnerable people will still be required to disclose any convictions.

What’s behind the move?
Prior to the changes, some ex-offenders had to disclose their convictions “for the rest of their lives, even for crimes committed decades earlier”, said The Times.

The reform is aimed at reducing the £18 billion annual cost of reoffending, with Justice Secretary Alex Chalk saying that having to declare unspent convictions can be a “huge barrier” to reintegration. The reforms would help former prisoners get the “steady income, routine and purpose they need”, he added.

Research has found that being employed after prison drastically reduces the likelihood of reoffending, with one estimate suggesting it cuts the risk by between a third and a half.