Thousands of prisoners in British jails will be released on Tuesday, September 10, as the United Kingdom (UK) government moves to address overcrowding in the prison system.
Recent data revealed that the prison population in England and Wales has reached an all-time high, prompting urgent measures. However, the government emphasized that no violent offenders or domestic abusers would qualify for early release to mitigate concerns about reoffending.
A business minister acknowledged the challenges involved in the decision to release 1,700 prisoners, describing it as a difficult but necessary step.
The UK government defended the policy, stating it was essential to prevent a rise in unchecked criminality, as recent offenders have avoided jail due to a shortage of prison spaces. The minister also criticized the previous Conservative government, ousted in July, for failing to address the issue before the election, accusing them of abandoning governance responsibilities.
“Of all the scandals we inherited, I think the prison system, the justice system, is probably the worst of all,” he added.
Chief Inspector of Probation said that the pressure on prisons was extreme.
“It’s the highest population we’ve ever seen in this country. Prisons are absolutely close to 100 percent capacity.
“My understanding, as of yesterday there is a couple of 100 spaces remaining.”
The Chief Inspector of Probation, Martin Jones, has warned that reoffending is likely among some of the early-release prisoners, highlighting that approximately one-third of individuals released from prison each year commit new crimes within 12 months.
Despite these concerns, the Business Minister stressed that violent offenders and domestic abusers will not be eligible for early release, emphasizing that stronger protections have been implemented to safeguard the public.
The surge in the prison population in recent months has been partly driven by convictions related to anti-immigration riots across England. However, the government has stated that those involved in these disturbances will not be exempt from the early release program, raising further concerns about potential reoffending among this group.
