The government of the the United Kingdom has announced that prisoners who have served 40% of their sentence will be released early to help alleviate overcrowding in the prison system. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood highlighted the urgency of this measure, warning that failing to act could lead to the collapse of the criminal justice system and a total breakdown of law and order, including looting and rioting in the streets. Mahmood blamed the previous government, particularly Rishi Sunak and his administration, for ignoring warning signs and allowing the situation to reach this critical point.
Since October of last year, over 10,000 prisoners were released early under the previous government. The new policy will reduce the release threshold from 50% to 40% of their sentence starting in September. This move is expected to result in approximately 5,500 prisoners being released within the first few months of implementation, according to the Prison Officers Association chair, Mark Fairhurst.
Mahmood emphasized that this measure is essential to prevent an imminent crisis in the prison system, which has been operating at 99% capacity since the beginning of the previous year. If no action is taken, prisons will run out of space within weeks, leading to the use of police cells as overflow, which could severely impact police operations. Mahmood painted a dire picture of the potential consequences, including criminals acting without consequence and the justice system grinding to a halt.
The new policy excludes the most serious offenders, including those convicted of violent or sexual offenses, as well as those sentenced for crimes related to domestic abuse. The Ministry of Justice estimates that over the next 18 months, up to 4,000 extra male prisoners and fewer than 1,000 female prisoners will be released under these new measures. The government is also recruiting 1,000 additional trainee probation officers by March 2025 to manage the increased workload on probation services.
While the decision has faced criticism, especially from Conservative Shadow Security Minister Tom Tugendhat, who questioned the wisdom of releasing thousands of criminals onto the streets, the policy is seen as a necessary step to prevent a complete breakdown of the prison system. The Law Society and other justice organizations have acknowledged the need for this measure but stressed the importance of adequate safeguards to protect public safety and manage the transition.
The Ministry of Justice’s data indicates that there are currently 1,451 useable prison cell spaces left across England and Wales, with an increase of 1,161 inmates over the past 12 months. The overcrowding crisis has been exacerbated by longer sentences, court delays, and an increase in the number of police officers, which has led to more arrests and convictions.
The government is already constructing six new prisons to create an additional 20,000 spaces, with 6,000 spaces completed and 10,000 expected by the end of 2025. However, these efforts will take time, and the immediate release of prisoners is seen as a stopgap measure to address the urgent need for space.
This policy marks a significant shift in the management of the prison population in England and Wales. It reflects the broader challenges facing the criminal justice system, including underfunding and the need for systemic reforms to ensure long-term sustainability and public safety.
RELATED: Terror Suspect Daniel Khalife Arrested in North-West London After Four-Day Manhunt
