Thousands of Violent Prisoners to be Released Early as Labour Tackles Jail Overcrowding

Labour's Plan to Address Prison Crisis

Labour has announced plans to release thousands of violent prisoners early in a bid to tackle overcrowding and prevent a crisis in Britain's jails. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood criticized the previous government for failing to take action to save the prisons from collapse.

Exclusions and Early Release

Domestic abusers and terrorists will be excluded from the cohort, but those serving up to three years for violent offenses, including assault, will be let out earlier than planned after serving just 40% of their sentences.

Blistering Speech and Criticism

In a speech at HMP Five Wells, Mahmood took aim at the previous Tory government, calling them the "guilty men" who neglected the prison system. She warned of the consequences of inaction, emphasizing the need to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

Additional Measures and Response

Data shows that the previous government released prisoners early, with the scheme now suspended. Labour plans to hire more probation officers to monitor released prisoners. The move has been welcomed by Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, who emphasized the importance of managing the impact of these changes.