NEWS STORY : 1,100 Further Prisoners Released Early from Prison to Alleviate Prison Overcrowding
STORY
The UK government has begun the early release of 1,100 prisoners in a controversial move aimed at easing chronic overcrowding in the nation’s jails. This is the second wave of early releases, following the initial release of 1,700 inmates in September. The decision, enacted by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, has sparked fierce debate and raised concerns about public safety. Under the scheme, offenders serving sentences of five years or more are eligible for release up to 135 days early. This reduces the proportion of their sentence served from 50% to 40%. The Ministry of Justice insists that only those assessed as posing a low risk to the public are being released, and they will be subject to strict licence conditions and curfews.
However, critics argue that the move undermines justice and puts communities at risk. The first round of releases saw several offenders swiftly re-offend, with one individual back in custody within 36 hours. The government has also admitted that 37 individuals, including stalkers and domestic abusers, were released in error. This latest release comes as the prison population hovers around 87,000, just below the record high that prompted the emergency measures. The government maintains that this is a temporary solution to a critical situation, while a broader review of sentencing policy is underway. The review will be led by former Justice Secretary David Gauke and will aim to explore alternatives to custody, including increased use of technology and community sentences.
