Inspector Discovers Criminals Returning to Crime After Early Release
Criminals who were released early under the previous government’s efforts to reduce prison overcrowding often found themselves homeless, leading to an inevitable pattern of reoffending.
According to a report by the prison inspectorate, individuals released early to alleviate overcrowding are frequently sent back to jail after committing further offenses.
The initiative, known as End of Custody Supervised Licence (ECSL), was introduced by the Conservative administration to tackle the issue of overcrowded prisons.
Between October 2023 and June this year, more than 10,000 prisoners in England and Wales were released up to 70 days earlier than planned under this scheme, as reported by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).
The conditions of the scheme have undergone several changes, with initial releases happening 18 days early, later extended to 35 days, and eventually to 70 days.
If released on licence, prisoners must adhere to specified conditions, including refraining from further criminal activities. Violating these conditions may result in their recall to serve the remainder of their sentence.
Quarter of Released Prisoners Homeless
Chief inspector of prisons, Charlie Taylor, noted that a significant portion of individuals released under the previous government’s early release program from HMP Nottingham were homeless, leading to unavoidable recalls.
Inspectors described the prison as under tremendous strain due to the constant influx, transfer, and early release of prisoners. At the time of the unscheduled inspection in May, the facility housed 924 inmates.
The ECSL initiative was found to significantly pressure prison leaders and the understaffed offender management unit, hindering efficient release planning despite the efforts of the prison and community probation teams.
The report mentioned numerous last-minute rushes of activities, further complicated by policy updates introduced during the inspection period.
‘Enormous Churn’
Taylor expressed surprise at the large number of homeless inmates released early and noted the uncertainty surrounding the volume or percentage of prisoners recalled.
Inspectors raised concerns about the insufficient public protection arrangements, emphasizing the lack of focus on riskier individuals nearing their release date, even though this was previously identified as a priority issue.
In summary, Taylor highlighted Nottingham as a prison handling numerous challenges but remaining a delicate institution due to its constantly changing population.
‘Short-Term Solution’
The National Association of Probation Officers, the largest union representing probation officers, criticized the early release program as a temporary fix for prison overcrowding. An additional 2,000 prisoners are earmarked for early release in September.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood highlighted the necessity of emergency early release measures to prevent prison overcrowding. The Ministry of Justice anticipates creating more prison spaces over 18 months and conducting a comprehensive sentencing review.
A ministry spokesperson emphasized the crisis in prisons, placing immense strain on the justice system and its employees. The new scheme focuses on providing probation staff with sufficient time to prepare inmates for release, offering essential post-release services.
