An early release scheme for prisoners in England and Wales has been extended for an 'undefined period' due to overcrowding, according to leaked government guidance. The End of Custody Supervised Licence (ECSL) scheme, introduced in October, allows inmates serving sentences of less than four years to be released up to 18 days early to ease prison capacity pressures.
The leaked documents, seen by Sky News, indicate the scheme has been expanded to more prisons under an 'urgent contingency' plan. This has raised concerns within the prison and probation service about potential wrongful releases and public safety implications.
Labour has called on the government to explain the scheme in the House of Commons. Shadow international development secretary Lisa Nandy said there was a 'big difference' between a scheme designed for public safety and one resulting from 'chaos' in the prison and court systems. Shadow justice secretary Shabana Mahmood described the extension as 'extraordinarily damning' and accused the Conservatives of treating victims and the public with 'contempt'.
Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden acknowledged the scheme's use should be minimised but cited 'unprecedented demand' in prisons. He said temporary measures were needed to manage the gap between supply and demand, adding that the prime minister and lord chancellor were committed to reducing their use.
The Ministry of Justice denied the scheme had been extended indefinitely, stating it remained temporary and only used where necessary. A spokesperson said only offenders days away from release were considered, and those convicted of sexual, terrorist, or serious violent offences were excluded. Domestic abuse commissioner Nicole Jacobs had previously demanded details to ensure victim safety, noting many short-sentence prisoners are jailed for domestic abuse or stalking.
