Prisoners To Be Released Early Under Government Plans To Tackle Prisons Capacity Crisis

Some prisoners could be released early in measures announced by the Justice Secretary to avoid “the collapse of the criminal justice system”.

In a speech at a prison in Northamptonshire on Friday, Shabana Mahmood warned of “a total breakdown in law and order” if changes are not made to tackle the ongoing capacity crisis in prisons. 

In plans detailed today, ministers want to make temporary changes to some custodial sentences, reducing the time served in prison from 50 per cent to 40 per cent. 

There will be a number of exemptions, including people who are serving sentences for serious violent offences of four years or more, as well as those serving time for sex offences. 

There will also be exclusions for people serving sentences for crimes related to domestic abuse such as stalking offences, controlling or coercive behaviors in an intimate or family relationship, non-fatal strangulation and suffocation, and breach of Restraining Order, Non-Molestation Order, and Domestic Abuse Protection Order.

According to officials, some prisons have been operating at 99 per cent capacity since the start of last year, and cells could now run out within weeks. 

Speaking during a visit to HMP Five Wells in Northamptonshire, Mahmood said that there is the risk of rising violence, police using their cells as prison overflow, and courts grinding to a halt should prisons become full. 

“With officers unable to act, criminals could do whatever they want, without consequence. We could see looters running amok, smashing in windows, robbing shops and setting neighbourhoods alight,” she said.  

“In short, if we fail to act now, we face the collapse of the criminal justice system. And a total breakdown of law and order.”

The plans would need to be voted on