Over 2,000 prisoners released within a week under early release program

556     0
Over 2,000 prisoners released within a week under early release program
Over 2,000 prisoners released within a week under early release program

The prison population in England and Wales has dropped by 2,188 in a week following the mass early release of offenders to deal with overcrowding.

There were some 88,521 prisoners as of 6 September - a record high with only 1.2% capacity left in the system.

But as of Friday, the number had fallen to 86,333, according to new Ministry of Justice figures.

An early release scheme came into effect earlier this week. 

The scheme was initially worked on by the previous Conservative government but implemented by Labour. Around 1,700 prisoners were released on 10 September.

Offenders who had served 40% of their sentence were eligible. They would otherwise have been released after serving 50%.

Prisoners who were in jail for serious violent offences with sentences of four years or more, as well as sex offenders, were not released.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told the BBC last week that he did not want to be in a position of releasing people who should be in prison, but said the situation was at "crisis point".

"We have to release people early because otherwise we’ll have an absolute crisis in our prisons," he said.

Some victims’ advocates and the probation union have expressed concern about the scheme.

Napo probation union said it feared the scheme was a "ticking time bomb that could put public safety at risk".

The domestic abuse commissioner has also called for prisoners to be excluded if they have been sentenced to any crime connected to domestic abuse.

Crimes such as stalking, controlling or coercive behaviours and breaches of restraining orders have been excluded, but others such as threats to kill have not been.

The prime minister said last week that risk assessments would ensure high-risk prisoners would not be released.

The prison population has been climbing steadily every week since 9 August, when it stood at 87,496.

The number of people in prison climbed after violent disorder broke out across England and Northern Ireland in late July and early August.

The disorder was fuelled by misinformation spread about the suspect in the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport on 29 July and anti-immigration sentiment.

As of 6 September, police had arrested 1,380 people and prosecutors had brought 863 charges in connection with the disorder, according to the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

Sophie Walker

England, Wales, Prisoners, Prisons

Read more similar news:

01.01.2023, 14:26 • World News
'I ventured into Alcatraz after dark and was terrified by what I saw and heard'
01.01.2023, 23:28 • Crime
Serial killers who walked free from The Serpent to the Panama Strangler
02.01.2023, 14:27 • Crime
Millionaire who killed son, 8, with pill overdose found dead in apartment
02.01.2023, 18:00 • Sport
Boris Becker “stronger” after prison stint as he posts New Year message to fans
02.01.2023, 18:01 • Crime
New Year's prison break leaves 14 dead and 13 injured after gunmen attack jail
02.01.2023, 18:47 • Crime
'My son's a drug lord - he's threatened to kill me but I still love him'
03.01.2023, 10:34 • Crime
Mum says she still loves son who became one of UK's most notorious drugs lords
03.01.2023, 15:09 • Crime
Murderer who battered disabled man to death as he begged for life dies in crash
03.01.2023, 17:30 • Sport
Boris Becker to make commentary return at Australian Open after prison release
03.01.2023, 21:06 • Investigation
Three female guards jailed for illicit affairs with inmates at UK biggest prison