Tue Sep 10 17:08:00 UTC 2024: ## Early Release Scheme Backfires: Prisoners Admit They’ll Be Back Behind Bars Soon

**London** – A controversial early release scheme implemented by the Labour Party has been met with skepticism, with prisoners themselves admitting they are likely to re-offend and return to jail.

The scheme, designed to ease pressure on the prison system, allows inmates to be released after serving 40% of their sentence, rather than the standard 50%. While the program aims to free up 5,500 prison beds, many prisoners believe it is a misguided effort.

“All they’re going to do is put the people from the riots in. They’re just going to empty it out and fill it up with new people,” said Shane Devlin, released early after serving a year for ABH. “They’ve got the backlog from Covid, plus most people re-offend so they’ll be straight back in.”

Stephen Quinn, released from HMP Brixton, echoed these sentiments. “If you release people in waves you get crime in waves. It’s already happened once and you’ve got those people who are already back in jail,” he stated. “Whoever thought of this idea, they must be totally out of their mind.”

Quinn, along with other ex-convicts, openly admitted to plans to return to a life of crime. One prisoner, seen leaving HMP Pentonville, even hopped into a £200,000 Lamborghini upon release.

The scheme, which includes providing released prisoners with McDonald’s vouchers, supermarket vouchers, and hotel accommodation instead of bail hostels, has also raised concerns from victims’ groups. The victims’ commissioner for England and Wales highlighted that some victims were not notified of their offenders’ early release, potentially jeopardizing their safety.

While the government insists that offenders convicted of violent crimes, sex offenses, and domestic abuse are not eligible for early release, the skepticism surrounding the scheme remains high. Many fear that the early release program will only exacerbate the problem of re-offending and lead to further strain on the already overburdened prison system.

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