Early release scheme could still see dangerous criminals released, Conservatives warn
The UK Conservative Party has criticized the government's early prisoner release scheme, warning that it may lead to the release of dangerous criminals. The government maintains that it is excluding specific violent offenders to manage prison overcrowding while ensuring public safety.
Why it matters
This highlights the tension between managing systemic prison capacity crises and maintaining public safety standards in the UK justice system.
Figure caption, Watch: Prisoner release scheme "raises more questions than it answers", says shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy
Dangerous criminals could be freed under the government's early release scheme for England and Wales, the Conservatives have warned.
Shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy told the BBC that to prevent one group of dangerous criminals being released early, Andy Burnham was "looking at releasing a different group of dangerous prisoners".
The prime minister said at the weekend anyone convicted of manslaughter would be excluded from the early prisoner release scheme, following a campaign from PC Andrew Harper's family to block the release of two men convicted over his killing in 2019.
He said prison space would be found by releasing some inmates serving indefinite sentences, known as IPPs as well as by deporting foreign prisoners.
Prisoners freed early are returning to jail at rapid rate, governors tell BBC
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