Government Denies Refunds to Miscarriage of Justice Victims

Victims of historic miscarriages of justice will not be refunded 'bed and board' costs deducted from their compensation payments, despite the policy being scrapped last year. People like Paul Blackburn, wrongfully imprisoned for 25 years, cannot reclaim these funds, prompting potential legal challenges. Reform advocates, including Andrew Malkinson, call for a quicker, fairer compensation process as policy changes are not applied retrospectively.

Victims of historic miscarriages of justice have been informed by the government that costs for 'bed and board' during their time in prison will not be refunded from their compensation payments.

The policy was ended last year by Conservative Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk following the case of Andrew Malkinson, wrongfully imprisoned for 17 years.

However, the government stated that people who already received payouts cannot claim back deducted amounts.

One such individual is Paul Blackburn, who, at 15, was wrongfully convicted of attempted murder and spent 25 years in prison.

Despite receiving compensation, over one hundred thousand pounds were deducted for living costs.

Mr. Blackburn, along with others, cannot reclaim these funds as the government maintains policy changes are not retrospective.

Blackburn's solicitors may pursue a legal challenge, calling the decision 'morally wrong.' Andrew Malkinson, formally cleared by the Court of Appeal in July, has urged reforms to protect the wrongfully convicted.

Past cases like the Hickey cousins’, who were freed and compensated in 1997 after wrongful convictions, had significant deductions based on living expenses in prison.

The European Court of Human Rights upheld these deductions.

Malkinson continues to advocate for a swifter, simplified compensation process, criticizing delays and artificial barriers in the current system.

A 2015 House of Commons document indicates compensation is rare in miscarriage of justice cases.