Early release scheme could see dangerous criminals released, Conservatives warn

The UK government's proposed early release scheme for prisoners in England and Wales has sparked controversy, with the Conservative opposition warning it could lead to dangerous criminals being freed prematurely. Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy has raised concerns that the plan to reduce overcrowding in prisons may inadvertently release high-risk offenders. The debate follows Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's announcement that those convicted of manslaughter would be excluded from early release, following a campaign by the family of PC Andrew Harper, who was killed in 2019.

The early release scheme, which could see around 4,500 prisoners freed in stages starting from October, originally included rapists, individuals guilty of serious child sex offences, and those convicted of grooming. However, the exclusion of manslaughter convicts has reduced the number of prisoners eligible for early release. This adjustment is expected to ease pressure on prison capacity, though Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones has reassured the public that public safety remains the government's top priority.

One contentious aspect of the scheme involves prisoners serving Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences, a controversial measure introduced between 2005 and 2012. These sentences were given to offenders deemed a significant risk to public safety. Once their minimum term was served, prisoners could only be released if the Parole Board determined they no longer posed a threat. According to the latest Ministry of Justice data, 2,271 people were still serving IPP sentences as of June this year, with 856 never released due to safety concerns.

Nick Timothy has criticised the potential release of IPP prisoners, arguing that by definition, these individuals are considered too dangerous to be freed. He acknowledged that the previous Conservative government had not built enough prisons, but stressed that releasing such high-risk offenders could endanger the public. The case of Tracey Connelly, the mother of Baby P, who remains in prison under an IPP sentence after being convicted in 2009, highlights the complexities of this issue.

Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones has defended the government's approach, stating that the criminal justice system must function effectively to keep the public safe. She explained that the government is exploring ways to manage prison overcrowding, including deporting foreign nationals upon sentencing and repurposing women's prisons. Davies-Jones emphasised that those released under the scheme would still be subject to monitoring. She also noted that the government plans to introduce legislation to abolish IPP sentences by the end of this Parliament, though this process will take time.

Former Conservative Justice Secretary Sir Robert Buckland has suggested that the focus should be on reviewing cases where prisoners have been recalled to prison for breaching licence conditions rather than non-violent offences. He cited the case of Shaun Lloyd, who was recalled despite making significant progress since his release. Lloyd's mother, Shirley Debon, has been campaigning for an inquiry into IPP sentences, arguing that they leave individuals in a state of uncertainty.

With the prison population in England and Wales standing at 86,495 as of August 3, at around 97% of usable capacity, the government faces significant challenges in managing overcrowding. Justice Secretary Alex Norris is expected to provide further details on the early release scheme in Parliament on Tuesday. The government insists that its measures will prioritise public safety while addressing the urgent issue of prison overcrowding.

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