Government releases 650 more prisoners early to ease jails

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 13:08 · Archive

Around 650 offenders are being released early from prison after serving a third of their sentence under an emergency scheme to tackle overcrowding.

Around 650 prisoners are being released early from jails across England and Wales under the Government's emergency scheme to tackle overcrowding. They include domestic abusers, stalkers and people convicted of assault, and are being freed after serving a third of their sentence instead of the usual half. The scheme follows an earlier release of 700 inmates this month, many of whom were behind bars for breaching licence conditions or reoffending.

A total of 4,500 inmates are expected to be released under the scheme by June 8 next year. The final cohort, consisting of the most serious offenders, will be released last. Greater Manchester Police confirmed that eight prisoners were re-arrested within days of their release for violating criminal orders.

At the start of October, men's prisons were operating at 99 per cent capacity with just over 1,100 spaces available nationally. The Ministry of Justice said more than a third of the prison spaces freed up after the previous release were filled within days. Defence minister Luke Pollard said the Government has 'started a prison building plan, which will create around 14,000 places' to address what he called 'the immediate crisis'.

How it is being reported

• Burnham's early release scheme frees 600 more prisonersHundreds more prisoners are being released early across England and Wales under the Government’s emergency scheme.Oxford Mail · 13 Oct, 12:40
• Burnham's early release scheme frees 600 more prisonersHundreds more prisoners are being released early across England and Wales under the Government’s emergency scheme.Oxfordshire Guardian · 13 Oct, 12:40

In this story: Greater Manchester Police · Ministry of Justice · Luke Pollard · England and Wales

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