Is it not wrong that paedophile Rolf Harris received special treatment as he began his prison sentence?
Rolf Harris is a convicted paedophile with a difference. Unlike others sentenced for 12 counts of indecent assault, this millionaire prisoner avoided the usual humiliation of being sent to one of Britain’s toughest prisons, Her Majesty’s Prison Wandsworth. This special treatment is, in our view, disgraceful.
Of this decision, a source told The Mirror:
“The way Harris has been treated is highly unusual”.
“If you’re convicted of a serious crime at Southwark Crown Court, you’d always get sent to Wandsworth, no questions asked”.
“There should be no special treatment on grounds of age and there is a hospital at Wandsworth so even prisoners in poor health can be treated there”.
Instead, Harris was sent straight to the much more “cushy” HMP Bullingdon near Bicester. Known for having a smaller population than Wandsworth, this prison is said to be “recognised for its works with older inmates and offers just over 1,000 category B and C prisoners a range of work, training and education”.
Whilst this move might be viewed as a compassionate gesture towards an old man, the NSPCC was quick to criticise such leniency stating that this “sent out the wrong message”.
The NSPCC are quite right. Rolf Harris may have painted and entertained Her Majesty the Queen in recent years but The Ministry of Justice would do well to now remember that he is now detained at Her Majesty’s Pleasure. He should not be allowed to have it easy and in fact, ought to be sent out to do hard labour.
Subscribe to our free once daily email newsletter here: