Hundreds more prisoners to be freed in second phase of early release scheme
The UK government has begun the second phase of an early release scheme to alleviate prison overcrowding, releasing approximately 650 offenders. The policy has faced criticism from victims' advocacy groups who fear that the release of domestic abuse perpetrators poses a significant risk to survivors.
Why it matters
This policy highlights the tension between managing systemic prison capacity crises and ensuring public safety and victim protection.
Image source, PA Media Image caption, Men were seen leaving HMP Durham
About 650 more offenders are leaving jails in England and Wales on Tuesday, in the second phase of the early release scheme - the government's plan to tackle the prison population crisis.
It includes offenders sentenced to up to two and a half years who are leaving jail after serving a third of their sentence behind bars, rather than half.
The second wave of releases comes as the government takes its plan to radically overhaul criminal courts back to Parliament - but also as probation officers prepare to vote in a ballot that could lead to a strike over pay and workload.
Some 700 offenders left jail early on 1 October - all of whom were serving terms of less than 19 months.
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