'National scandal': prison early-release scheme gets earlier and earlier
Government says 'short-term' extension is necessary to help ease pressure on prisons
The government's decision to extend an emergency early-release scheme in prisons to alleviate overcrowding has been described as a "national scandal".
Until just a couple of months ago, prisoners could be released up to 18 days before their release date under the end-of-custody supervised licence (ECSL) scheme. It has since been increased to try to ease the pressure on prisons, and that will now be extended to 70 days to "create more space", said The Times.
The move has been roundly criticised, with one source inside the probation service telling Sky News that the scheme was "already not delivering" and it would now create an "additional workload" for a service already under huge pressure. Its quiet rollout has been a "cover-up" by the Conservatives, who are perpetrating a "national scandal", said Labour's shadow justice secretary Shabana Mahmood.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The government, however, insists that the move is a "temporary measure".
What is the scheme trying to achieve?
The original ECSL scheme was announced in October last year and targeted prisons "with fewer than 1,400 spaces for new inmates", said LBC. The extension of the early release window from 18 days to between 35 and 60 in March, and now 70 from the end of May, "suggests little progress has been made".
It is well known that prisons are over capacity, with "fewer than 250 places left available in men's prisons", said The Times, but the government has been accused of not being forthcoming with information about the scheme.
Who is eligible?
There are conditions regarding who can be released early under the scheme. All criminals serving more than four years are not eligible, while those serving any term for sexual offences or terrorism cannot be released early through the programme.
However, "violent offenders, including domestic abusers" as well as "burglars, thieves and fraudsters" serving a sentence of less than four years are all eligible, said The Times.
Why is it being criticised?
First, there is concern that the ECSL scheme is "being amended, at pace, and often with little warning", adding pressure to workers in the probation service, said Sky News.
That has led to criticism that it is ultimately "unsafe", as offenders are being released at such short notice that appropriate accommodation and deterrents like location tags are not being found or fitted in time.
Additionally, there are concerns about the type of offenders being released, with particular worry over "domestic abuse and stalk perpetrators". The UK's domestic abuse commissioner, Nicole Jacobs, has called for an "exemption" of those perpetrators from the scheme, arguing that their early release puts "victims at risk".
When will the scheme end?
The Ministry of Justice has yet to reveal how many prisoners have been released under the scheme since it was introduced but says all former prisoners are "under strict supervision" and that the scheme remains a tactic to relieve "short-term pressures on prisons", said The Times.
But there is no defined deadline, leaving workers in the prison system worried it will continue indefinitely. While the prison service remains under pressure, "broader reform is necessary" to effectively reduce the numbers of inmates, said Sky News.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Richard Windsor is a freelance writer for The Week Digital. He began his journalism career writing about politics and sport while studying at the University of Southampton. He then worked across various football publications before specialising in cycling for almost nine years, covering major races including the Tour de France and interviewing some of the sport’s top riders. He led Cycling Weekly’s digital platforms as editor for seven of those years, helping to transform the publication into the UK’s largest cycling website. He now works as a freelance writer, editor and consultant.
-
5 arguably hilarious cartoons about the 2024 presidential debate
Cartoons Artists take on the candidates' age gap, sleepyheads, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes: a solid summer blockbuster
The Week Recommends The big-money movie might be 'a bit silly' but the effects are excellent
By The Week UK Published
-
Tall Tales: church dedicates service to Taylor Swift
Tall Tales The Week's round-up of the latest odd news
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
'Goon Squad' cops sentenced for torturing 2 Black men
Speed Read The former Mississippi law enforcement officers pleaded guilty last year
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The #MeToo movements around the world
The Explainer French men have been sharing stories of abuse in the latest calling out of sexual assault and harassment
By The Week Staff Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Armed gangs, prison breaks and on-air hostages: how Ecuador was plunged into crisis
The Explainer Gangs launch deadly revenge after president declares state of emergency following escape of feared drug boss from prison
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Brianna Ghey: what court has heard about death of transgender teen
The Explainer The two teenage suspects each blame the other for the murder
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The most famous prison breaks of all time
The Explainer Many people have escaped from behind bars over the decades
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Daniel Khalife escape: how secure are UK prisons?
Today's Big Question MPs and experts blame austerity cuts for chronic understaffing, overcrowding and inexperienced guards
By Harriet Marsden Published
-
Daniel Abed Khalife: how did terror suspect escape from Wandsworth prison?
Today's Big Question ‘Gob-smacking’ events raise urgent questions about state of UK’s criminal justice system
By Julia O'Driscoll Published