More than 600 of UK's worst criminals could be blocked from prison release ... trends now
More than 600 of Britain's most dangerous criminals could be blocked from release every year in a move to toughen up parole rules.
The new Victims and Prisoners bill would give the Justice Secretary a veto to automatically block the release of the worst offenders including murderers, rapists, and terrorists.
Parole boards will also be required to prioritise public safety over the rights of the prisoners, which is currently described as a 'balancing act'.
An insider told The Sun: 'People want to know the most dangerous offenders will be locked up until they no longer pose a threat.
'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.'
Andrew Barlow (left) and Baby P's mother Tracey Connelly could have both been kept in jail under the reforms
A serial sex attacker dubbed the 'Coronation Street rapist' had his release approved last month despite Dominic Raab challenging the decision through his existing powers as Justice Secretary.
Andrew Barlow, 66, formerly called Longmire, was locked up in October 1988 after being convicted of 11 rapes, three attempted rapes, indecent assault and using a firearm to resist arrest.
His tariff was fixed at 20 years and in the decades that followed he was linked to more offending as previously unsolved cases were cracked.
Between 1981 and 1988 he went on two separate campaigns of terror, raping women in five different counties.
Mr Raab would have been able to block Barlow's release under the new rules.
He could have also prevented the release of Tracey Connelly, the mother of Baby P, in June last year.
Connelly was given an indefinite term with a minimum of five years in 2009 for causing or allowing the death of 17-month-old Peter in Tottenham, North London, in August 2007.
Gary Glitter (left) was released from jail before being returned after allegedly accessing the 'dark web'. Murderer Robert Brown is due for automatic release
Lorraine Thorpe was just 15 when she killed her father, Desmond, 43, and Rosalyn Hunt, 41. She is set for a parole hearing
The child suffered 50 injuries at the hands of his mother, stepfather, Steven Barker and Barker's brother Jason Owen, with mistakes by social workers meaning medics missed vital warning signs.
Connelly was given parole despite another attempt by Mr Raab to intervene.
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.'
Some parole hearings are now held in public in a bid to increase transparency around the process.
Earlier this month Charles Bronson, Britain's 'most dangerous prisoner' told a panel he was now a 'man of peace' and thus ready for release.
A panel of three considered his case at HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, while members of the press and public watched on a live stream from the Royal Courts of Justice in central London.
