Probation staff vote to strike in blow to Burnham plans on early release
Summary
Probation staff in England and Wales have voted strongly to strike, which may affect government plans to change early release rules for prisoners. The government wants to stop serious offenders, including those who killed PC Andrew Harper, from being freed early by finding more prison space and changing who is released early.Key Facts
- 91% of probation union members voted in favor of striking.
- The strike vote is related to planned early release changes but not directly caused by them.
- Early release plans aim to reduce overcrowding by freeing about 5,000 prisoners early.
- The killers of PC Andrew Harper were scheduled to be released early under this plan.
- Some serious offenses like rape are already exempt from early release, but manslaughter was not.
- Government plans include removing foreign offenders faster and using female prison space for male prisoners.
- Probation officers say they do not have enough staff to manage the extra work of early release.
- Government officials want to discuss early release proposals with other political parties to gain broad support.
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