About 1,000 fewer prisoners to get early release as Burnham tightens rules
Summary
About 5,000 prisoners in England and Wales will be released early over 10 months, fewer than the originally planned 6,000, after new rules exclude those convicted of serious sexual crimes from early release. The changes come after concerns about public safety and pressure from victims' families and officials.Key Facts
- Early release plans have been tightened to exclude prisoners convicted of rape, serious child sexual offenses, and grooming.
- The justice secretary, Alex Norris, said the new plan will release about 5,000 prisoners from October over 10 months.
- Originally, the government planned to release 6,000 prisoners starting in September to reduce overcrowding.
- Some prisoners convicted of violent or sexual crimes, like two killers of PC Andrew Harper, remain eligible for early release.
- Families of victims, like Debbie Adlam whose son was murdered, expressed disappointment about the early release eligibility.
- The restrictions aim to prevent the prison system from breaking down due to overcrowding.
- Changes follow criticism that earlier emergency releases lacked proper controls and harmed victims' families.
- Andy Burnham highlighted that the scheme results from past failures to build enough prison places and close outdated prisons.
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