Tue Sep 10 00:22:56 UTC 2024: ## Thousands Released Early in UK to Tackle Prison Overcrowding

In a bid to combat record-breaking prison overcrowding across England and Wales, the government has initiated an early release scheme, releasing over 1,750 prisoners today.

Scenes of jubilation unfolded outside prisons, with champagne celebrations documented at HMP Nottingham and inmates leaving HMP Bristol with their belongings. This comes amidst a “crisis point” in prison capacity, according to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who justified the move as necessary to alleviate the strain.

The scheme grants early release to prisoners serving less than five years, who will now be released after serving 40% of their sentence instead of the standard 50%. However, the scheme excludes all sex offenders, domestic abusers, and violent offenders with a minimum four-year sentence.

While concerns regarding public safety have been raised by some, those released are subject to a release licence and can be recalled to prison if they breach its terms.

The unprecedented prison population surge is attributed to several factors, including longer prison sentences, an increased number of individuals on remand awaiting trial or sentencing, and a backlog of court cases exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) reported last week that the number of inmates has reached a record high of 88,521, leaving just over one percent of available space in England and Wales’ prison system.

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