No Refunds for Injustice Cases

Victims of historic miscarriages of justice are facing new government regulations that mandate the deduction of "bed and board" costs from their compensation payments for time spent in prison. This decision has raised concerns among those affected, as it leaves unresolved issues regarding past cases. The government clarified that individuals who have already received compensation will not be able to reclaim any funds that were previously deducted, a move that has drawn criticism from advocates for justice reform. One notable case is that of Mr. Blackburn, who was wrongfully convicted at the age of 15 for the attempted murder of another boy and spent 25 years in prison. The Court of Appeal later determined that police had fabricated evidence against him. Following public outrage over similar cases, including that of Mr. Malkinson, who was exonerated after nearly two decades for a crime he did not commit, the government had previously halted the policy of reclaiming living expenses from compensation. Despite the removal of the living costs rule, Mr. Malkinson expressed frustration over the lengthy compensation process, anticipating a two-year wait for a decision from the independent board responsible for determining his entitlement. He criticized the existing system as unnecessarily complicated, calling for reforms to expedite the process and eliminate what he described as "silly barriers" that hinder justice for the wrongfully convicted.