Private prosecutions in the UK seem to be increasing. There is also growing interest in the use of the private sector to recover the proceeds of criminal conduct. Perhaps it is time to carefully consider whether such proceedings/actions are in the public interest (and, if they are, in what circumstances?), and to consider how they should be managed and regulated.
The Government has published a Statutory Instrument (SI 2017 No. 576, in force 12th May 2017) that empowers the Secretary of State (under new rule 46A of the Prison Rules 1999) to direct that certain prisoners be held in “separation centres” on the grounds of “national security, preventing terrorism offences, preventing the dissemination of views that might encourage such offences, and preventing the use of particular views or beliefs to undermine good order and discipline.” [Explanatory Note]
A BBC News item this morning concerning ‘Spice’, states that the “Effects of the synthetic drug can be extreme, causing hallucinations, psychosis, muscle weakness and paranoia”. What is actually being referred to are synthetic cannabinoids of which there are a good many, and not a single substance: see “Perspectives on Drugs: Synthetic cannabinoids in Europe” published by the EMCDDA. Many synthetic cannabinoids have been controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (UK) at various times, and those which are not controlled might be caught by the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 (UK). Hopefully research is being conducted to establish prevalence of use, by whom, the supply routes, and the effectiveness of current legislation.