Early Release Scheme: Dangerous Criminals Still at Large, Conservatives Warn
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Early Release Scheme and Dangerous Criminals
The early release scheme proposed by the prime minister could still result in the freedom of dangerous criminals, according to shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy. In an interview with the BBC, Timothy highlighted a potential loophole:
"In order to prevent one group of dangerous criminals being released early, he's looking at releasing a different group of dangerous prisoners."
This statement followed Andy Burnham's recent announcement regarding the scheme. Burnham narrowed the criteria, excluding those convicted of manslaughter, in response to campaigns by the family of PC Andrew Harper.
Early Prisoner Release and IPP Sentences
Burnham's plan includes further narrowing the early release scheme and exploring options to free up prison space, such as releasing inmates serving Indefinite Prison Terms (IPPs). These sentences were given to offenders deemed a significant risk to public safety, with their release dependent on Parole Board assessment.
According to Ministry of Justice data, there are 2,271 individuals serving IPP sentences, with 856 never having been released due to concerns about public safety. Ending these indefinite sentences will require legislative changes, potentially taking years.
Overcrowding and Criminal Justice System
Timothy acknowledged the challenges of overcrowding in prisons, attributing it to a lack of prison construction under the previous Conservative government. He emphasized the government's priority to maintain public safety while addressing the criminal justice system's functionality.
Alex Davies-Jones, Minister for Victims, Violence Against Women and Girls & International Justice, also addressed the scheme on BBC Today. She stressed that release does not equate to freedom and mentioned a presumption of GPS tagging for released individuals.
The current prison population in England and Wales stands at 86,495, utilizing nearly all available capacity. The early release scheme, introduced by the Sentencing Act 2026, aims to alleviate overcrowding by releasing inmates earlier than initially planned, starting on October 1st. Exclusions from the scheme include manslaughter, rape, serious child sex offenses, and grooming offences.