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Sex offenders to spend more time in prison under tougher parole plans
Law & Order | 14th April 2026, 14:14 |
Sex offenders in Gibraltar could be required to spend longer in prison before being considered for parole under a Bill published today.
The Government says the changes are aimed at strengthening the system and maintaining public confidence.
Crimes covered include rape, strangulation, voyeurism and a wide range of other serious sexual offences, including offences involving children.
Minister for Justice Nigel Feetham said sexual offences of this kind are among the most serious dealt with by the courts, and that ‘the harm they cause is profound’.
He told GBC the legislation reflects the Government’s determination to ensure parole rules properly reflect that seriousness.
Under the proposals, offenders will serve more time in custody before parole can be considered. The changes also clarify the test to be applied by the Parole Board when deciding whether someone should be released – requiring it to be satisfied that continued confinement is no longer necessary for the protection of the public
The Minister described this as ‘the right and responsible thing to do’.
At the moment, adults convicted of sexual offences and sentenced to between 12 months and four years in prison are automatically released halfway through their sentence.
Those serving longer sentences are eligible for parole at the halfway point.
Under the new legislation, offenders convicted of specific sexual offences and given a sentence of more than a year would have to serve at least three quarters of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
Crimes that fall under this new legislation include rape, strangulation, child sex offences as well as voyeurism.
Mr Feetham said the Bill has been developed following extensive consultation with relevant stakeholders, and stressed the importance of cross-party alignment on an issue of this nature.
He added he had discussed the draft legislation with the Opposition and, having taken on board their comments, welcomed their support in Parliament.