By outdoor-nature-child.com In an effort to address overcrowding in jails, the government of England and Wales has initiated a significant early release plan, which will see an additional 1,100 prisoners set free. This follows the release of approximately 1,700 inmates last September as part of the initial phase of the program, which aims to create a total of 5,500 additional spaces in prisons.
In recent developments, officials have also announced a comprehensive review of sentencing practices, potentially paving the way for alternative forms of punishment outside of incarceration.
So, who qualifies for this early release? Under the new guidelines, prisoners serving sentences longer than five years can now be released after serving just 40% of their fixed-term sentence, a reduction from the previous 50% requirement. However, it’s important to note that this change excludes sex offenders and individuals serving sentences of four years or more for serious violent crimes. Additionally, those convicted of domestic abuse and related offenses—such as stalking or coercive behaviors—are not eligible for this release.
The scheme is specifically designed for a certain type of sentence that permits automatic release after a predetermined time. In cases involving more serious offenders, such as those serving life sentences, release is contingent upon an assessment from the Parole Board to ensure they no longer pose a risk to society.
It’s crucial to highlight that individuals released under this program will be monitored by the Probation Service, which may include measures such as electronic tagging and curfews. However, reports from the BBC indicate that some individuals released during the first wave of the program were not fitted with trackers, despite it being a requirement. Furthermore, it was revealed that 37 prisoners were improperly released due to inaccurate records of their offenses, with many having violated restraining orders that should have barred their release.