Early release scheme could see dangerous criminals released, Conservatives warn
Summary
The UK government plans to start an early prisoner release scheme to reduce overcrowded prisons by releasing some inmates earlier than scheduled. Some groups of dangerous criminals, like those convicted of manslaughter and serious sexual offenses, will not be eligible for early release, but others serving indefinite sentences may be freed, raising concerns about public safety.Key Facts
- The early release scheme aims to ease overcrowding in prisons in England and Wales, which are at about 97% capacity.
- It will start on October 1, 2026, under the Sentencing Act 2026.
- People convicted of serious crimes like manslaughter, rape, child sex offenses, and grooming will not be released early.
- The program may release prisoners serving Indeterminate Sentences for Public Protection (IPPs), who are considered dangerous but have no fixed release dates.
- As of June 2026, 2,271 people were serving IPP sentences, with 856 never released due to safety concerns.
- The government plans to track released prisoners with GPS tags to monitor them in the community.
- Critics warn that releasing some dangerous criminals could threaten public safety.
- The government acknowledges a past failure to build enough prison spaces, contributing to the overcrowding problem.
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