Government Scheme Leads to Early Release of 37 Prisoners by Mistake
Around 1,700 prisoners were released early in an effort to address prison overcrowding, with a total of 5,500 expected to be let out under the program.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described it as “deeply regrettable” that 37 offenders were mistakenly released from prison as part of the government’s early release initiative.
During a visit to the United Nations in New York, Starmer expressed his concern over their release and promised that the government would provide support to all victims in need.
“As I understand it, [it was] to do with the classification under old legislation and I think all bar one are back in custody,” the prime minister explained.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood had temporarily reduced the percentage of sentences that inmates must serve behind bars from 50 percent to 40 percent to alleviate prison overcrowding.
The government had assured that individuals who had committed serious offenses, particularly those related to domestic abuse, would not be eligible for early release.
However, a technical error impacted cases of breaching restraining orders prosecuted under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 after the introduction of the Sentencing Act in 2020. Consequently, prisoners incarcerated under the previous harassment law were not labeled as ineligible for early release and were let out of prison this month.
Public Safety
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) stated that it was collaborating with the police to return the offenders to custody and assured that “The convictions remain valid with offenders monitored since their release and will soon be back behind bars.”
“Public safety is our first priority,” mentioned the MoJ spokesperson.
Nicole Jacobs, the domestic abuse commissioner, emphasized that individuals who violate restraining orders are likely high-risk individuals fixated on their victims, undeterred by legal restrictions. She further added that probation should not only rely on the index offense to assess risk but should also consider local intelligence to exempt individuals with a history of abuse from early release.
1,700 Prisoners Released Early
On September 10, approximately 1,700 prisoners were released early due to the increasing prison population, which had recently reached record levels.
A total of around 5,500 inmates are scheduled to be released early under the program, with more individuals set to be freed prematurely in October during the second phase.
Housed in Hotels
Mahmood acknowledged that accommodating all those released into the community simultaneously could pose a challenge, and some individuals might end up in hotels.
During a parliamentary debate on the day of the widespread release, the justice secretary mentioned, “We expect to provide housing for the majority of offenders using existing provision, but, should there not be enough, I have authorized probation directors to make use of alternative arrangements, including budget hotels, as a temporary measure for the cases that we will see in the next few weeks.”
The minister confirmed at the time that while emergency plans were not currently required, she pledged transparency with the House of Commons, local authorities, and the public in case the situation changes and hotels are used to house the prisoners.
PA Media contributed to this report.
