More than 6,000 prisoners will be freed in October under the next stage of the early release scheme, according to reports. Prisons in England and Wales are almost at capacity, with fewer than 1,500 spaces remaining.
IPP Sentences to Be Scrapped
The plans involve abolishing sentences of imprisonment for public protection (IPP). There are currently more than 2,200 IPP prisoners being held for serious offences. The legislation could lead to cases being reviewed to determine whether an offender should be released or given an alternative sentence.
As of March this year, more than 70,000 people had been released under the 2024 scheme. However, there are still almost 90,000 people in prisons across England and Wales.
Cycle of Reoffending
Those set free under the Government's last early release scheme are returning to jail at a rapid rate, with guards on first-name terms with those let out as part of the 2024 push to ease overcrowding. The cycle of offending, serving some time, being released early, and returning after reoffending is described as depressingly familiar.
The next stage of the early release scheme, and with it the same cycle, will begin in October.
Public Safety Concerns
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he does not want to see a "single prisoner" released early but has failed to stick to his words. The widespread anger at even the suggestion convicted criminals could be freed much earlier than they should is entirely understandable.
His Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons has been saying for years that Britain's prison estate is unfit for purpose. The public remains largely in the dark as to how much higher the prison population will climb and what happens when capacity is reached.
