All the updated news related to early release scheme

All the news related to early release scheme updated in real time

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Government had ‘no choice’ over emergency prison measures, says minister

The Government had “no choice” but to put in place emergency measures for prison overcrowding, a minister has said. Lord James Timpson, minister for prisons, probation and reducing reoffending, said the previous government ran prisons “so hot for so ...

08 Oct 2024 at 14:47

Starmer defends releasing prisoners from jail early to free up cell space

The Prime Minister has defended freeing criminals, including some convicted killers, early from prison as he angrily blamed previous government inaction for forcing him into the move. Sir Keir Starmer lashed out at former prime minister Rishi Sunak ...

11 Sept 2024 at 17:41

Around 1,700 prisoners to be freed from jail early amid reoffending warning

Thousands of prisoners are set to be released early on Tuesday as the prisons watchdog warned it is “inevitable” some will reoffend. Around 1,700 prisoners in England and Wales are expected to be let go on Tuesday before their sentences are served ...

10 Sept 2024 at 09:48

Jail overcrowding crisis could see prisoners freed early staying in hotels

Hundreds of prisoners freed early amid jail overcrowding crisis

Prisoners could be put up in hotels when they are freed early to ease jail overcrowding, the Justice Secretary said. Shabana Mahmood told the Commons that inmates who are homeless on release could be temporarily placed in taxpayer-funded budget ...

10 Sept 2024 at 17:38

Plan to increase magistrates’ powers ‘will worsen prisons overcrowding crisis’

Plans to double the length of jail sentences that can be handed out by magistrates are “a knee-jerk reaction” and will worsen the prisons overcrowding crisis, a lawyers’ group has said. The Daily Telegraph reported that the Government is ...

16 Sept 2024 at 14:29

Charity boss says prisoners need support amid fears some may ‘slip through net’

The CEO of a prisoner charity fears inmates could “slip through the net” and risk re-offending if they are not given sufficient support after their release from jail. Andy Keen-Downs, CEO of Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) – which ...

10 Sept 2024 at 20:41

Shadow justice secretary accuses PM over early release scheme

A scheme that has seen thousands of prisoners released early to ease overcrowding in jails has come under further criticism after a freed prisoner allegedly went on the run. Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick took aim at the ...

06 Nov 2024 at 16:25

Starmer accuses PM of wanting to issue ‘get out of free jail cards’ to criminals

Sir Keir Starmer has urged Rishi Sunak to stop trying to issue “get out of jail free cards” to criminals, as he compared the Prime Minister to a “jumped-up milk monitor”. The Labour leader used Prime Minister’s Questions to ...

15 May 2024 at 15:27

Scotland

Hundreds of victims left in dark about early prisoner releases, Tories say

Hundreds of victims of crime across Scotland have been “left in the dark” about early prisoner releases, according to the Scottish Conservatives. According to figures obtained by the party via a freedom of information ...

23 Mar 2025 at 22:00

37 offenders prosecuted using old harassment law freed in error

Some 37 offenders who were prosecuted using old harassment law have been released in error as part of the Government’s early release scheme. The PA news agency understands some offenders, sentenced using old ...

25 Sept 2024 at 22:20

Police chiefs call for ‘serious investment’ amid early prison release plans

Police chiefs and MI5 have called for the Government to give them enough funding amid pressures from the latest plans to release prisoners early. The heads of the Metropolitan Police, MI5 and the National ...

28 May 2025 at 07:18

Nearly 40,000 prisoners released early to tackle jail overcrowding, figures show

Nearly 40,000 prisoners in England and Wales have been let out of jail under the Government’s early release scheme to tackle overcrowding in prisons, figures show. Some 38,042 inmates had been freed as ...

30 Oct 2025 at 12:18

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