Over 600 criminals to be blocked from release each year under Tories’ parole shake-up

MORE than 600 of the worst offenders could be blocked from release every year in plans to be revealed this week.

The new Victims and Prisoners bill will hand ministers powers to thwart cons’ bids for freedom after decades behind bars.

Every year around 660 of our worst criminals make pleas for a life outside jail to the parole board.

But boards will now have to prioritise public safety over prisoner rights, ending the ­status quo that says it needs to be a “balancing act”.

Rapists, murderers, terrorists and child abusers will find it much harder to gain their freedom — with the Justice Secretary also handed a veto to automatically block any release for the worst offenders.

An insider said: “People want to know the most dangerous offenders will be locked up until they no longer pose a threat.

“But too many recent cases undermined public confidence that the system works.

“Our changes will keep people safe by strengthening the release test so it is entirely about public protection, not prisoners’ rights — and giving ministers the final say in the most serious cases.”

The rules would have stopped Andrew Barlow, 66, who was jailed for 13 rapes in Manchester in the 1980s and dubbed the “Coronation Street rapist” from being released.

He had his release approved last month, despite Dominic Raab challenging the decision through his existing powers as Justice Secretary.

And the release of Baby P mum Tracey Connelly, let out in July last year against the will of the Deputy Prime Minister, could have been stopped.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “The Justice Secretary has said he will introduce reforms to protect the public and better support victims when parliamentary time allows.”