Sean Hodgson

Sean Hodgson has now been freed after serving 27 years for a crime that he didn't commit. A number of issues arise about this case:

• I do hope that forensic samples from other crimes that were commited before the widespread and trusted use of DNA have been kept. I would suggest that ALL appropriate convictions that were obtained before that date are now checked using modern DNA techniques.
• The dreaded parole Catch-22 has kicked in. Depite the Parole Board describing it as a "myth", it seems that the "you won't get parole unless/until you accept your guilt" is actually true. To serve 27 years - even for murder - is exceptional and parole is often given well before then. Michael Naughton of the University of Bristol has long argued that this is a gross injustice and frankly I agree with him. A very interesting article here demolishes theParole Board's "myth" view. Well worth a read.