KILLERS, rapists and sex offenders are among up to 6,000 criminals set to be released from jail early under Labour’s controversial sentencing shake-up.
Thousands of lags, including those convicted of some of the most before completing their full sentences.
The first 700 inmates are due to be released from September Credit: PA
Some violent and sexual offenders will be eligible for release after serving half of their sentence rather than the current two-thirds Credit: Jeff Moore/PA Wire
The decision – that has -was made as ministers battle a overcrowding crisis.
The first 700 inmates are due to be released from September, with further waves of in the following months.
Under Labour’s Sentencing Act, some violent and sexual offenders will be eligible for release after serving half of their sentence rather than the current two-thirds.
Prisoners serving shorter sentences could be freed after serving as little as a third of their term if they follow prison rules and engage with rehabilitation programmes.
The plan will ‘horrify’ victims, Justice Secretary David Lammy (pictured) was warned Credit: PA
The decision was made as ministers battle a prison overcrowding crisis Credit: Alamy
The has confirmed that more than 5,000 offenders in total are expected to be , with estimates suggesting the figure could reach 6,000.
The changes form part of the Government’s plans to ease pressure on overcrowded prisons.
However, critics have warned the move will devastate victims and put dangerous offenders back on the streets sooner than expected.
Tory spokesman Dr Kieran Mullan told the Daily Mail: “Victims are going to feel like justice has been stolen from them by these plans.
“We aren’t talking about shoplifters or vandals.
“We are talking about paedophiles, rapists and seriously violent criminals. Seeing them walk out of prison years early will horrify most victims, and the public as well.”
leaders have also raised concerns that the reforms, alongside plans to reduce the use of short jail terms, could fuel a rise in .
There are fears among prison and probation chiefs about the impact on victims who may learn their attacker is being released years earlier than anticipated.
Tom Wheatley, of the Prison Governors’ Association, said: “There will inevitably be individual victims who have suffered at the hands of an offender who will become very upset.”
Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy also criticised the plans.
He said: “Killers and rapists, including the evil rape-gang perpetrators, should remain behind bars where they belong but Labour want to let them back on the street.”
Under the reforms, a killer jailed for 15 years for manslaughter could be released after seven and a half years if they are deemed to have behaved well in prison.
Murderers are excluded because they receive mandatory life sentences and must serve a minimum term set by the court.
The most serious offenders, including terrorists and murderers, are not covered by the changes.
Once released, offenders will be supervised in the community and monitored using electronic tags.
The Ministry of Justice said serious sexual and violent offenders could face restrictions preventing them from entering certain areas, attending public events, driving, or visiting and clubs.
Offenders released on licence can be recalled to prison if they breach their conditions or cannot be safely managed in the community.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “This government inherited a prison system in crisis and we are fixing it — building 14,000 more prison places and reforming sentencing so we can always lock up dangerous criminals. Without this decisive action, prisons would have run out of space entirely, making it impossible for convicted offenders to be sent to prison and risking the complete breakdown of the criminal justice system, putting the public at untold risk.
“We’re also making sure punishment works to cut crime and strengthening supervision in the community — £700 million into probation, recruiting 1,300 additional probation officers this year and ensuring every prison leaver is tagged unless there is clear reason not to.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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