Government Plans Early Release for Thousands of Prisoners
The UK government has announced emergency measures to reduce overcrowded prisons in England and Wales, including early release for some prisoners who have served at least 40% of their sentences. Those convicted of serious violent offenses, sex crimes, and domestic abuse-related crimes are excluded. The initiative begins in September and includes monitoring released individuals with electronic tagging and curfews.
The UK government has announced emergency measures to alleviate prison overcrowding in England and Wales, which include the early release of some prisoners who have served at least 40% of their sentences.
The initiative, expected to start in September, excludes those convicted of serious violent offenses, sex crimes, and domestic abuse-related crimes.
Individuals released under this scheme will be monitored by the Probation Service, potentially involving electronic tagging and curfews.
As of July 12, 2023, the prison population in England and Wales stood at 87,505, nearing its operational capacity of 88,956.
The rising number of inmates, driven by longer sentences and increased remand populations, necessitates these measures.
Early releases have been used similarly in the past by both Conservative and Labour governments, with current projections showing the prison population could rise by another 19,000 by 2028.
Despite the intention to build 20,000 new prison places by the mid-2020s, only about 6,000 have been completed, hindered by planning system challenges and local objections.
Labour has indicated a shift towards reducing sentencing and enhancing job opportunities for ex-offenders to break the re-offending cycle.
The initiative, expected to start in September, excludes those convicted of serious violent offenses, sex crimes, and domestic abuse-related crimes.
Individuals released under this scheme will be monitored by the Probation Service, potentially involving electronic tagging and curfews.
As of July 12, 2023, the prison population in England and Wales stood at 87,505, nearing its operational capacity of 88,956.
The rising number of inmates, driven by longer sentences and increased remand populations, necessitates these measures.
Early releases have been used similarly in the past by both Conservative and Labour governments, with current projections showing the prison population could rise by another 19,000 by 2028.
Despite the intention to build 20,000 new prison places by the mid-2020s, only about 6,000 have been completed, hindered by planning system challenges and local objections.
Labour has indicated a shift towards reducing sentencing and enhancing job opportunities for ex-offenders to break the re-offending cycle.
