Letter: Sentencing and treatment of drug couriers in Britain and abroad
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: As probation officers in a foreign nationals unit, we interview several hundred people each year who have been arrested at Heathrow for drug trafficking. We prepare reports about them to inform sentencing decisions of the Crown Court.
Our experience confirms the concerns raised by your leading article 'Drug mules in our own jails' (22 July). Most of the people we see have no previous convictions; many claim they have been duped or coerced; many, especially those from developing countries, become involved through dire financial need; all find prosecution and imprisonment so far from home a harrowing experience. However, there is not generally the same level of compassion for them as has been shown towards British drug couriers imprisoned abroad.
Undoubtedly, drug trafficking is a serious offence, but many of those we see are no different to the two recently released from Thailand. John Major's intervention raises the question of how much discretion should be exercised by the courts and the Home Office when dealing with individuals who have been convicted of drug trafficking in this country.
Yours faithfully,
ROSEMARY ABERNETHY
NICK HAMMOND
Middlesex Area Probation Service
Foreign Nationals Unit
Uxbridge,
Middlesex
22 July
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments