Britain is releasing some prisoners earlier
In English prisons in England and Wales, there is a shortage of space. The British Justice Minister warned of collapse. The new government will release thousands of prisoners early to create space. However, this relaxation only applies to some inmates.
Britain will release thousands of prisoners early to create space in overcrowded prisons. The prisons are on the brink of collapse, warned Justice Minister Shabana Mahmood to the Press Association (PA). If no action is taken now, there could be a collapse of law and order. Prisoners will only have to serve 40 percent of their sentences in custody initially. Previously, many were able to be released after serving half of their time. However, this relaxation does not apply to offenders for serious violent crimes, sexual offenses, and domestic violence.
The new government is reacting to the overcrowding of prisons in England and Wales. Currently, there are 87,505 prisoners on 88,956 usable places. According to PA, there are approximately 700 empty places for men's prisons.
London's police chief Mark Rowley warned that in the worst-case scenario, there could be a collapse of the justice system. "The government is forced to make a quick decision to avoid this risk," Rowley told PA, according to ITV. The decision is not ideal, but the least bad option.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said this week that the situation was more alarming than expected. His Labour Party, a social democratic party, had won the parliamentary election a week ago and replaced the conservative government. The conservatives, or Tories, had already shortened sentences due to the prison crisis.
The early release of prisoners in England and Wales is an international topic of discussion, given the severity of the overcrowding issue. Justice Minister Shabana Mahmood's warning of prison collapse has garnered international concern for the safety and maintenance of justice in London.
