BILL FOR LAGS

BILL FOR LAGS

By Gareth Dorrian, Daily Star Sunday, 3rd April 2011

PRISONERS who tried to win compensation for not getting a vote in the General Election have been slapped with a hefty legal bill.

They will have to cough up thousands in court costs – after the High Court blocked their bid to win cash.

The Ministry of Justice has sent letters to 585 inmates in jails across the UK, demanding £76 each.

The UK’s veto on prison votes has been slammed by the European Convention on Human Rights – but MPs last month voted to keep the ban.

All inmates involved will have 14 days to pay their part of the £44,688 bill – and they will be dragged through the civil courts.

A Ministry of Justice source said: “Inmates are furious after getting these letters.

“They can’t understand why they have to foot the bill for the failed legal challenge.

“If they want to be treated like ordinary members of society, then they’ll have to pay their way.”

Serving prisoners earn only around £8 a week. One, Peter Thirlaway, of Wealstun jail in West Yorkshire, told monthly newspaper Inside Time: “I have absolutely no way of paying this as all my assets were seized after my ‘proceeds of crime’ hearing.

“This serves to emphasise the fact we are not welcome in society, no matter how much lip service is paid to the rehabilitation of offenders.”

The Coalition is being pressured by the European Court of Human Rights into allowing inmates the privilege of a vote.

But David Cameron said he was “absolutely horrified” at the thought of the law being changed.