Member

I was a legal aid family lawyer for over 20 years prior to becoming a Member of Parliament, and I specialised in child abuse and domestic violence work. Most days of the week, I would attend various county courts around the south-east of the country, obtaining non-molestation injunctions and occupation orders, mainly for women and children. Some perpetrators went to prison following criminal proceedings, but upon release far too many would go straight back to their former homes and abuse their families all over again. It was like a vicious circle. The point I want to make is that prison can of course be a good rehabilitation, but, tragically, many upon leaving prison remain a risk. As parliamentarians, we must do all we can, when we have the chance, to manage and eradicate that risk.