The UK government has announced plans to release 1,100 more prisoners early as part of an ongoing strategy to tackle overcrowding in jails across England and Wales. This latest wave of early releases will occur on Tuesday, with eligible inmates primarily from open prisons. Those convicted of serious crimes such as murder, sexual offences, and terrorism will not be included in the scheme, but individuals serving sentences of more than five years are now eligible for early release.
The initiative, which started in September, aims to free up space in the prison system and is projected to create an additional 5,500 places. This move comes amid growing concerns over the capacity of the UK’s prison system. Former Conservative Justice Secretary David Gauke, who is now leading a significant review of prison sentencing, stated that for decades, governments had been quick to implement longer sentences but slow to increase prison capacity.
Gauke emphasised that “the prison population is growing faster than we can build prisons.” His review seeks to address not just the current crisis but also to propose long-term solutions that prevent overcrowding in the future. Among the ideas being explored are alternatives to short prison terms and enhanced rehabilitation programmes for long-term offenders. The review will also examine the feasibility of creating a “prison outside prison,” using advanced technology such as electronic tagging and smart devices to monitor and guide offenders during their rehabilitation.
Smartwatch-like devices, similar to those piloted in the United States, could potentially be used in the UK to send gentle ‘nudge’ messages to remind offenders of their obligations and progress. The findings of Gauke’s review are expected to be submitted by spring 2025, offering new insights into how punishment and rehabilitation outside of prison could be reshaped for modern times.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, highlighted the importance of this review, noting that it provides an opportunity to “reshape and redesign what punishment outside of a prison looks like,” while reassuring the public that there will always be “a cell waiting for dangerous offenders.”
The early release scheme, first introduced under the previous UK government and enacted by the current Labour administration, allows prisoners to be released after serving 40% of their sentence, down from the previous 50%. The first wave of early releases occurred in September, reducing the prison population by 1,700 and bringing the total number of inmates to 86,333. Despite this, prisons continue to face overcrowding issues, with the current population at 87,465 and just 1,671 spaces remaining.
However, the scheme has not been without its challenges. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) faced criticism after it was revealed that 37 prisoners had been released in error due to mismanaged records. These individuals have since been returned to custody. Additionally, some prisoners who should have been fitted with electronic tags upon release were not, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the monitoring process.
Critics have voiced fears about public safety, with concerns that the scheme is merely shifting the burden from prisons to communities without adequately assessing the risks. Meanwhile, the recent extension of magistrates’ powers to impose 12-month sentences for single offences could add further pressure to the prison system. The Criminal Bar Association has warned that this could result in more defendants opting for trials, exacerbating the already severe backlog in crown courts.
For more updates on UK government prison reforms and further insights into criminal justice policies, visit EyeOnLondon for ongoing coverage.
