Why 1,700 criminals are being released amid overcrowding crisis in UK prisons

The Government is set to free around 1,700 prisoners on Tuesday (September 10) from jails across England and Wales in a bid to cut overcrowding.

This is in addition to around 1,000 prisoners who are typically freed each week. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced plans in July to temporarily cut the proportion of sentences inmates must serve behind bars from 50 per cent to 40 per cent as the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said overcrowding had pushed jails to the 'point of collapse'.

On Monday (September 9), Downing Street said the policy had to be brought in to avoid 'unchecked criminality' where the police and courts are unable to lock anyone up.

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Around 1,700 will be freed on Tuesday, with a similar number also anticipated to be freed in October. The Government said the policy will not apply to those convicted of sex offences, terrorism, domestic abuse or some violent offences.

But campaigners and charities warned that the scheme may come at the expense of women and children’s safety, while others raised concerns that it would push probation services to breaking point.

Last month it emerged rioters were among those who could end up spending less time behind bars as the Government confirmed those involved in recent unrest would not be excluded from the early release plans.

This is despite Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer repeatedly insisting perpetrators of the violence would feel the 'full force of the law'.

While there is no specific exclusion for rioters, those convicted of serious violence and serve sentences of four years and over, or a terrorism offence, will be excluded, officials said.

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