MORE than 2,500 prisoners are set to be freed by the end of the year under Labour’s controversial early release scheme.

Thousands of lags will be allowed to walk out of prisons across England and Wales from October 1 in a desperate bid to ease overcrowding in jails.

People outside HM Prison Brixton.Thousands of lags will be allowed to walk out of prisons from October 1 Credit: Jeff Moore/PA Wire Interior of a prison hall with multiple levels of cells, a man walking on the upper level.Domestic abusers are among 4,500 offenders who will be freed in stages over the next 10 months Credit: Alamy

Domestic abusers are among 4,500 offenders who will be freed in stages over the next 10 months – with over half set to walk free before Christmas.

yesterday said he understands the “anguish” bereaved families face following changes to the early prisoner release programme.

But the Prime Minister stopped short of apologising to them, despite calls from MPs.

A timetable published by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) yesterday revealed plans to release 1,350 crooks in the space of two weeks in October.

Andrew Harper in a blue polo shirt, smiling at the camera.Plans to let out PC Andrew Harper’s killers sparked fury and a Sun-backed petition to stop their release reached more than 1million signatures. Credit: PA British Prime Minister Andy Burnham reacts during a meeting.Andy Burnham yesterday said he understands the ‘anguish’ bereaved families face Credit: EPA

The following month, 650 prisoners will be freed, while 550 more will leave jail in December – with some serving just a third of their sentences.

Between January and June, the remaining 2,000 lags will be released.

But Shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy pointed to a lack of resources within the probation service and warned the public will “pay the price”.

He said: “Over 2,500 criminals will be back on the streets by Christmas.

“Labour’s shambolic early release scheme is to blame.”

Jails across England and Wales are currently running at 97% capacity with just 1,500 available spaces, according to MoJ data.

When asked if he would “apologise” to victims put through “significant distress”, Mr Burnham replied: “I do understand their anguish.

“I listened to what they were saying – I came in and asked for changes to the early release scheme.

Collage of mugshots of Jessie Cole (left) and Albert Bowers (right).PC Andrew Harper’s killers are now set to remain behind bars Credit: PA

MoJ estimated release numbers

  • October 1 – 700 prisoners serving between 19 months and two years and five months
  • October 13 – 650 prisoners serving between 19 months and two years and five months
  • November 10 – 650 prisoners serving up to three years and two months
  • December 8 – 550 prisoners serving up to four years and three months
  • January 12 – 600 prisoners serving up to five years and nine months
  • February 9 – 500 prisoners serving up to seven years and six months
  • March 9 – 200 prisoners serving up to nine years
  • April 13 – 200 offenders serving up to 10 years
  • May 11 – 250 offenders serving up to 12 years
  • June 9 – 250 offenders serving more than 12 years

“And we excluded rape, grooming and child sex offences. But hearing those voices, I wasn’t satisfied and I pushed the system to go further.

“And as a result of that, we are going further and excluding death by dangerous driving and other manslaughter offences.”

But bosses have warned that many lags released under the previous scheme in 2024 returned to prison after reoffending.

One furious governor even described the situation as a “revolving door”.

They told the the Government’s plans to ease overcrowding were “short term solutions” and more needed to be done.

“We see the same people coming back after being released early and reoffending again, or breaking their [release] rules,” they added.

“You release someone to serve the rest of their sentence in the community and you think ‘now I have some extra room’.

“But then they’re back again and you just go round in circles.”

Roughly 1,400 further offenders were set to be freed under initial plans.

The staggering figure includes PC Andrew Harper’s killers, who are now set to remain behind bars after a U-turn by PM Andy Burnham.

Bowers and Cole were jailed for 13 years for the manslaughter of PC Harper, 28, who was dragged for more than a mile behind their car.

Plans to let out the killers in January sparked fury and a Sun-backed petition to stop their release reached more than 1million signatures.

Now, Mr Burnham has said “hundreds” of people will remain in prison as part of changes to the scheme designed to ease prison overcrowding.

Prisoners convicted of historic child sex offences will also be blocked from changes.

The Prime Minister ordered a review of the changes to the Sentencing Act, which is being undertaken by Justice Secretary Alex Norris.

Mr Burnham also said extra space in prisons would be created by deporting foreign prisoners.