Watchdog Reports High-Risk Prisoners Released Early to Relieve Overcrowding
Government critics have raised concerns about the potential dangers posed by the government’s early prison release scheme, both to the public and to the prisoners themselves.
An East Sussex prison has released high-risk individuals at short notice in order to make room in jails, as reported by a prisoners watchdog. This includes a prisoner with a history of domestic abuse and stalking who is considered a risk to children, and another with class A drug issues and a recent history of self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor has highlighted how the End of Custody Supervised Licence Scheme (ECSL) undermines safe release planning, with these issues coming to light during an inspection of Lewes that took place after ECSL was implemented.
The ECSL scheme initially allowed prisoners to be released up to 18 days early, which was extended to 35 to 60 days in March to reduce the number of foreign nationals in British prisons. The government claims the scheme is constantly under review and excludes certain categories of prisoners.
However, critics like Mr. Taylor argue that the current reliance on early releases is unsustainable, highlighting the pressures faced by the prison service and the urgent need for a broader conversation about the justice system.
System Crisis
The inspection of Lewes revealed alarming levels of violence, self-harm, and drug use within the prison, reflecting wider challenges facing prisons across the country. These challenges include transient populations, aging infrastructure, and a lack of resources to address the needs of inmates.
Previous chief inspector of prisons Nick Hardwick warned of a potential crisis in British prisons due to overcrowding, staffing issues, and increased violence. The government’s plan to create new prison spaces and explore options like transferring prisoners to facilities in other countries are part of efforts to address these challenges.
