September 9th 2024.
Tomorrow, thousands of prisoners will be released early as part of the government's efforts to address the overcrowding issue in our prisons. Home Office minister Dame Diana Johnson shared that around 1,700 prisoners will be released on Tuesday, with plans in place to ensure a smooth process. These individuals will be released on licence and can be recalled if they commit any further offenses.
When asked about the types of prisoners being released, Dame Johnson clarified that violent criminals, terrorists, and domestic abusers will not be included in the scheme. However, there are concerns among victims of domestic violence that abusers convicted of unrelated crimes may slip through the cracks and be released early. The government is working to prevent this from happening, acknowledging the prevalence of domestic abuse among offenders.
Labour MP Keir Starmer has pointed fingers at the previous Conservative government for not building new prisons, resulting in the need for early releases. The prisoners being released will serve the remainder of their sentences under strict licensing conditions and will be tagged. However, there are concerns that many of them will reoffend due to a lack of housing and rehabilitation programs.
The impact of these early releases is also being felt in local communities. Shopkeepers in Lincoln are worried about being targeted by shoplifters who have been released early. Emma Steele, who owns a store in the town center, recently experienced a theft of £200 worth of stock by a shoplifter who was given a four-week suspended prison sentence. She fears that the lack of consequences may lead to her being targeted again.
For prisoners, the first night of release can be daunting, with many expected to sleep rough. Elton Gilbert, who was released early from HMP Pentonville, shared that he received no guidance or support upon his release. With around 5,500 prisoners set to be released early in the next two months, resources to help them resettle into society will be stretched thin. And with probation officers facing overwhelming caseloads, there is a fear of being recalled to jail due to a mistake made under pressure.
In addition to housing, former prisoners also need photo ID and access to banking in order to apply for work, housing, and benefits. Early release makes it difficult for them to plan for these basic needs. The government claims to have inherited a justice system in crisis and has been forced to take tough measures to keep dangerous criminals off the streets and protect the public.
Nick Emmerson, president of the Law Society of England and Wales, has praised the early release scheme as a necessary step in the face of the dire state of our prisons. He also emphasized the need for appropriate safeguards to minimize any risks to the public. The Ministry of Justice has stated that anyone released under the scheme will be risk-assessed and closely monitored through the strictest licensing conditions and tagging.
The current prison population in England and Wales is dangerously close to reaching its operational capacity, leaving little room for additional prisoners. At the end of June, the prison service's own standard for a good and decent accommodation was exceeded by over 7,000 prisoners. If current trends continue, the prison population is projected to increase by 19,000 by 2028, while capacity will only increase by 9,000. It is clear that a long-term solution is needed to address the overcrowding issue in our prisons.
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