Outrage as it emerges killers, kidnappers and sex offenders are being let out of jail for Christmas with their families
Questions are being asked about why the human rights of the victims and the victims families are not put first
ANGER erupted today after it emerged murderers, kidnappers and sex offenders are being let out of prison to celebrate Christmas with their families.
Some 973 offenders were allowed out for the day to spend it with their family and friends, Ministry of Justice figures show.
Among them were 200 people convicted of violent crimes including 61 murderers, four kidnappers and 12 people who were guilty of manslaughter.
The figures, revealed in a Parliamentary Question by the Conservative MP Philip Davies, were heavily criticised by a charity representing murder victims.
Rose Dixon, chief executive of SAMM (Support After Murder And Manslaughter), a charity which supports the families of those killed, hit out at the revelations.
She said: "It beggars belief because you are letting killers out, I just find it incredible and I'm sure my members would.
“Their loved ones can't come home for Christmas, and so why should these people be allowed home to spend Christmas with their families?
"The vast majority of our members say that when you get a life sentence for murder it should mean life.
“They shouldn't get to leave.
";We are fed up with hearing about the human rights of the offenders, what about the human rights of the victims and the victims families?
“The first human right is the right to life and they have taken a life, so how can they expect to have their human rights respected?"
She said Christmas is the hardest time of the year for families of murder victims, and many will be appalled to think the killers are allowed out to enjoy turkey and presents at home.
Ms Dixon said: "We do a memorial service in December at St Martins in the Field in London for bereaved families, and that is all they have at Christmas.
"That's all they've got - to be able to light a candle for their loved one.